Car Crash Damages Elementary School Property In Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ — The Chatham Board of Education gave an update on the car crash that happened at the Washington Avenue School a few weeks ago.

Chatham School District Business Administrator Peter Daquila gave the update during the June 5 Board of Education meeting, stating that as a result, the school has suffered damage as well as some playground equipment and a fence.

The crash occurred on Friday, May 26, and no bystanders were hurt as a result of the collision.

The condition of the driver was not made immediately clear.

"A car made a very abrupt left turn off of Washington, over Watchung Avenue, into a tree, into a fence, through the Washington Avenue playground, bumping some playground equipment and then coming to rest head-on into the building," Daquila said.

The school district stated that they intend to complete all repairs to the school before the end of the summer so that the building is ready for use when students return to school.

According to Daquila, the school district's insurance company, Utica, will be reimbursing the district for all of the expenses that they will face in completing the repairs.

Jill Critchley Weber, President of the Chatham Board of Education, questioned whether it would be a good idea for the school to relocate the playground equipment so that if an incident like this occurred again, the playground would not be impacted.

"That's mostly the pre-k to second-grade playground. Is there an opportunity to move that further away? I know the school's been there since 1956 and this hasn't happened, but its happened now," Weber said.

Weber proposed moving the playground further down the property and not as close to Watchung Avenue.

Daquila said that they had not considered that since the school liked the configuration of the current playground, but that in light of events, they would be open to addressing that issue. "I agree and if you look at it, it still seems miraculous that this could even happen, but then we realize that things are way beyond our control or our wildest dreams," he added.

Weber urged Daquila to discuss the option with Washington Avenue Principal Kristine Dudlo, citing the fact that when the playground was first installed, there were fewer cars in the area because the current parking lot had not yet been extended.

"There are more cars physically close to that area, so maybe talk to Ms. Dudlo and see what you think. I mean, if we have an opportunity to move some of it away from the road, I think we should take the opportunity," Weber said.