2 Killed In NJ School Bus Crash

SALEM COUNTY, NJ — Two people were killed Friday in a crash involving a school bus in Salem County, officials with the New Jersey State Police said. The Pittsgrove Township crash, which remains under investigation, involved three vehicles.

It happened around 4 p.m., when a bus carrying 19 students from Olivet Elementary School was eastbound on County Road 540. A Nissan crossed the center line and entered the eastbound lanes, hitting the school bus and then a Volkswagen.

The driver of the Nissan, 70-year-old Pearl Caudill of Pittsgrove, was pronounced dead at the scene. The school bus driver, Denise Powell, 60, of Newfield, N.J., was airlifted to Cooper Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

The driver of the Volkswagen sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Inspira Medical Center Vineland.

Two students were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries for "precautionary reasons."

School officials said Powell was a "beloved member" of the district. "The children loved her and her colleagues did as well. She passed serving the school community," Superintendent Matt Casey said in a statement.

The crash remains under investigation. No further details were immediately available.

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