By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

During the afternoon of Sept. 15, a bus from the Pennsauken School District was involved in a motor vehicle accident.

According to information provided by the Pennsauken Township Police Department, the collision occurred just before 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the corner of East Springfield Ave. and River Rd. The bus, which was in the process of dropping off students, had the stop sign engaged with red lights flashing during the crash.

Three students received minor injuries during the accident. Angela Montes, a parent of one of the children on the bus, was severely injured during the incident and requires surgery, according to information posted online by family members.

Benjamin Ramos, 39, of Pennsauken, has been arrested and charged with four counts of assault by auto, four counts of endangering another person, and one count of being under the influence of a controlled or dangerous substance.

Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi, superintendent of Pennsauken Public Schools, along with other district officials, met with Pennsauken Police today to learn how to prevent these types of accidents from occurring in the future.

“The bus driver followed all protocols and blocked the intersection for the safety of students. This was a tragic accident that should not have happened,” wrote Dr. Tarchichi in a letter posted on the district’s website this afternoon. “We are continually working with the Pennsauken Police Department in order to ensure the safety of our students.”

Pennsauken Public School students involved in this incident, as well as those affected by the accident, will receive counseling and support services at Phifer Middle School beginning Friday, Sept. 17.

A GoFundMe page has been created by the family of Angela Montes to help defray medical costs.

Any witnesses to the collision should contact Sgt. Kern or Ptl. Martinez of the Pennsauken Township Police Traffic Division at (856) 488-0080, ext. 3301 or by email at rkern@pennsaukenpolice.org or jmartinez@pennsaukenpolice.org.