UPDATED Gloucester Township Police Media Release 1-26-2024
On 1/18/2024 at approximately 06:38 hours, Gloucester Township Police were dispatched to the area of Hickstown Road and Heatherwood Drive for a report of a student struck by a vehicle while crossing to their school bus. The student was transported to Cooper Hospital with serious injuries.
Concluding a collaborative investigation by Gloucester Township Police SCIT (Serious Crash Investigation Team), Gloucester Township CIU (Criminal Investigation Unit), and Camden County Prosecutors Office, it was found that the driver failed to stop for a school bus that had its flashing red warning lights and stop sign activated. Several children had already crossed the road when the driver recklessly continued forward, striking one student and narrowly striking a second. The driver of the striking vehicle was charged criminally with Assault by Auto (4th Degree Crime) and issued several other traffic summonses, pending court.
This is a reminder that by law, on a two-lane highway or other road not divided by some type of physical barrier, stop at least 25 feet from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights whether or not you are traveling in the same direction as a bus (39:4-128.1).
https://www.nj.gov/education/finance/transportation/training/BusSafety.pdf
Accused: William F. Trautz, 22 YOA,
Unit Block of Marcia Court, Sicklerville, NJ 08081
Original Media Release 1-18-2024:
Gloucester Township Police Media Release- Student Struck By Vehicle While Crossing Roadway To School Bus
On 1/18/2024 at approximately 06:30 AM Gloucester Township Police Officers were dispatched to the intersection of Hickstown Road and Heatherwood Drive for a reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Officers arrived to find a 17 year old female student of the Camden County Technical School – Gloucester Township Campus who was struck by a vehicle, as she was crossing Hickstown Road to get on her school bus. EMS and Fire Department arrived and began treating the student who was seriously injured.
Preliminary investigation revealed the bus, which is a contracted school bus service, was completely stopped to pick up students, with its red warning lights and “STOP” bar lit and extended. The victim was attempting to access the bus by crossing the westbound lane of Hickstown Road from Heatherwood Drive. The striking vehicle was traveling Westbound on Hickstown Road, and did not stop for the bus warning systems. The vehicle then struck the student as she crossed the street. The driver stopped at the scene. No other students were injured.
The crash is a very active investigation by Officers assigned to the Gloucester Township Police Department Serious Crash Investigation Team (SCIT). The student was transported to Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. Camden County Technical School officials are with family, and are implementing necessary crisis procedures. Hickstown Road was shut down for approximately two and a half hours and is currently re-opened.
Date and Time of Media Release: January 18, 2024, 10:00 AM –
Police Case: 2024-3071
Media Release By: Chief David Harkins #122
