The school bus driver in the fatal May 2018 Paramus, New Jersey crash that resulted in the death of a student and teacher on board, was sentenced on Wednesday to 10 years in prison, Local 10 reported.
Hudy Muldrow, 79, pleaded guilty in December to reckless vehicular homicide, assault by auto and child engagement. Muldrow’s plea agreement included the dismissal of 20 additional charges of assault by auto.
The school bus was carrying students from a Paramus middle school during a field trip on May 17, 2018, when Muldrow veered the vehicle across three lanes of traffic on Interstate-80 and toward a median turnaround, which only law enforcement and official government vehicles are allowed to use.
The school bus collided with a dump truck, killing 10-year-old Miranda Vargas and teacher Jennifer Williamson-Kennedy, 51.
Muldrow’s driver’s license was reportedly suspended multiple times prior to the crash and he had received several speeding violations.
As a result of the fatal incident, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law four safety bills relating to school bus driver oversight, including a requirement that school bus drivers take safety classes twice a year. The governor also updated the existing seat belt law to require lap/shoulder seatbelts on school buses, instead of simply two-point lap belts.
Related: Video Released of Fatal Paramus, N.J. School Bus Crash
Related: Paramus, N.J. School Board Buys First Buses with 3-Point Seatbelts
Related: New Jersey Gov. Murphy Signs School Bus Safety Legislation
Related: N.J Mourns Death of Student, Teacher in School Bus Crash
Related: School Bus Safety Efforts are More than Just Requiring Seatbelts
Related: Miranda School Bus Driver Law Formally Introduced in U.S. Congress
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated on Feb. 28 to correct the location of the crash to Interstate-80. Stn regrets this error.
