Trial Date Set In Paramus Bus Crash Case

PARAMUS, NJ — Hudy Muldrow Sr., the driver charged in the fatal school bus crash that killed a student and teacher from East Brook Middle School, has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.

Muldrow, 78, of Woodland Park, pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, 25 counts of fourth-degree assault by auto, and 16 counts of assault by auto.

The trial against Muldrow is expected to begin Oct. 7, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said.

The trial is expected to last five to seven weeks. Judge Stephen Taylor said he set the trial date so far in advance because of the length of the trial and "the importance of the case," the Daily Record reported.

Hudy Muldrow Sr., 78, sits during a court proceeding in 2018 following his arrest after a fatal Paramus school bus crash. (Katie Kausch, Patch staff)

Paramus school district Superintendent Michele Robinson did not respond to a request for comment.

Muldrow was indicted last month.

Related: Driver In Fatal Paramus School Bus Crash In Morris County Indicted

Authorities allege that Muldrow's "reckless operation" of the bus caused the deaths of teacher Jennifer Williamson-Kennedy and 10-year-old student Miranda Faith Vargas, and injured 40 other passengers on the bus and the driver of the dump truck that crashed into the bus. They were on their way to Waterloo Village in Byram Township on a field trip.

Related: Miranda Faith Vargas ID'd As Student Victim Of Paramus Bus Crash

Officials say Muldrow caused the horrific crash when he cut the school bus across three lanes of Route 80 traffic in an attempt to reach an official use only turn-around point in the median. Through a lawyer, Muldrow has maintained his innocence.

Muldrow has a long history of driving trouble, the state Motor Vehicle Commission confirmed, including 14 license suspensions.

Despite his record, Muldrow still managed to have a commercial driver's license with valid passenger and school bus endorsements,

Commission spokesperson Mairin Bellack said. Paramus school officials previously said they were unaware of his driving record.

With reporting by Katie Kausch, Patch staff

Related:

• Paramus Community Mourns Dedicated Teacher Killed In Crash
• Driver Charged In Fatal NJ School Bus Crash: Prosecutor
  
• Why Was Elderly Man With 14 Suspensions Driving Doomed NJ Bus?
  
• Paramus Officials Unaware Of Bus Driver's Record: Superintendent
  
• Was School Bus Trying To Make Illegal U-Turn Before Rt. 80 Crash?

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com