Fairfield (NJ) – On October 26, 2024, at approximately 7:32 pm, the Fairfield Police Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a motor vehicle crash involving a Lakeland Commuter bus and a single vehicle near the Hampton Inn and Suites located at 118 Route 46 East. First responding officers found the bus on the center median and a 2015 Kia Soul partially on the median and partially in the left lane of Route 46 East. The two occupants of the Kia had removed themselves from the vehicle and were lying on the median.
Officers rendered medical attention to the pair until the arrival of the West Essex First Aid Squad who then transported both to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. None of the 26 occupants on the reported being injured in the crash.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the 22-year-old male operator of the Kia, who was from Ohio, allegedly pulled out of the parking lot of Plato’s Closet, located at 137 Route 46 West, and crossed both westbound lanes of the highway in an attempt to illegally enter an emergency vehicle U-turn cut in an effort to travel Route 46 East.
The Kia was then hit broadside on the driver’s side by the bus as the bus driver had not time to avoid the crash. The matter remains under investigation by the Fairfield Police Department.
Issued by: Officer Stacy Chiarolanza (PIO)
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