Tragic Minivan Crash in New Jersey Causes Four Fatalities

School vehicles seem to be crashing with each passing week in New Jersey, and a recent incident is one of the worst in recent memory. The crash involved a minivan operated by a local school in Morris County, and it claimed four lives. Among the victims was a four-year-old child, and the community was completely shaken by this tragedy. These kinds of incidents are becoming far too common in New Jersey, and it is not clear why so many school buses and vans crash so frequently in the Garden State. If you have experienced a similar incident, you may be able to hold school districts accountable with help from an experienced auto accident lawyer in New Jersey.

Special Needs Van Crashes Under Unclear Circumstances

Police say that a special needs van carrying children and adults crashed in April of 2025, causing at least four deaths. Three of the deceased victims were traveling in the van, including a four-year-old child and two women in their 50s and 60s. The fourth victim was a woman in her 70s who was traveling in another vehicle.

The crash also caused numerous injuries. The four-year-old child initially survived the collision and was fighting for his life in a hospital before ultimately succumbing to his injuries. Two other children were also injured, and they remain in a hospital as of this writing. In addition, two adults were injured with unspecified ailments after the crash.

The circumstances of the crash aren’t clear. According to the New York Post, this was a “four-car pileup.” This source also points to a GoFundMe page set up after the accident, which claims that the minivan was struck by a car traveling at 80 miles per hour. This would imply that the person to blame for this accident was breaking the speed limit at the time. However, police have not yet released any official details regarding the crash.

This is somewhat rare, as authorities usually provide at least preliminary reports on the cause of crashes. The Morris County Prosecutor stated, “While we cannot disclose many details on the circumstances of this crash at this time, I can say this is a horrible tragedy for the Morris County community and beyond.” The authorities are urging any witnesses to come forward, and this implies they may not be sure about what caused the collision on Route 10.

How Do I Determine What Caused My Child’s School Bus Crash?

If your child has been harmed in a school bus crash, you might be desperate to figure out how the accident happened. The police should investigate the incident, and they may use various techniques to determine who (or what) caused the crash. These strategies might include the review of surveillance footage, tire track marks, eyewitness accounts, and much more.

That being said, you can also work with an experienced auto accident lawyer in New Jersey to determine the cause of your child’s crash. Your lawyer can request documents during the discovery phase of your injury claim. These files might provide more clues as to what exactly happened. For example, your lawyer might obtain cell phone records that prove the school bus driver was distracted at the time of the accident.

Often, school bus crashes are indirectly caused by negligent hiring practices. School districts are now desperate to find drivers for their school buses, and they may hire people who are obviously unqualified to carry out these duties. For example, they might hire an elderly individual with poor eyesight, cognitive decline, or physical disabilities. They may also hire someone with a poor driving record and past DUIs.

Your lawyer can help you get to the bottom of your accident. Although this type of experience can be traumatic for the entire family, it may be important to act quickly. If you do not file a claim within a certain amount of time, you may lose the opportunity to receive compensation.

Can a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Help After a School Crash?

If your child was injured or killed by a school bus crash in New Jersey, you are not alone. Legal professionals are standing by to assist you as you pursue justice, accountability, and compensation. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to sue school districts, negligent drivers, and other parties for contributing to your crash. If your child is injured, an injury claim can help you pay for the medical treatment they need. To learn more about your legal options, feel free to contact Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C., at your earliest convenience.