GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A driver who struck and seriously injured a student boarding her school bus has been charged, according to Gloucester Township police.
William F. Trautz, 22, of Sicklerville, was charged with assault by auto — a fourth-degree criminal offense. He was also issued several traffic summonses for the incident on Hickstown Road and Heatherwood Drive, police said Friday.
Trautz struck a 17-year-old girl as she crossed the street to board her school bus just after 6:30 a.m. Jan. 18, police said. The bus had completely stopped, activated its red warning lights, and extended and lit its “STOP” bar, according to law enforcement.
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The student sustained “serious” injuries and was transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, authorities said. No other students were hurt. Read more: Student Struck By Vehicle, ‘Seriously’ Injured In Gloucester Twp.: PD
Police said Friday that several children had already crossed the road when Trautz “recklessly” continued forward. He narrowly struck a second student during the incident, authorities said.
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Trautz stayed on-scene after the collision, police said.
The student attends Camden County Technical Schools at the Gloucester Township campus.
“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,” police said.
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