Wayne Teachers Rushed To Help Student After Bus Crashed Into Pharmacy

WAYNE, NJ — Two teachers at Schuyler-Colfax Middle School have been recognized for stopping to help a student and the driver of a school bus that crashed into Black Oak Pharmacy last month.

The Wayne Township Board of Education honored Kathy Tucker and Robert Vogel at their last meeting for their "extraordinary care and quick thinking," especially in comforting the frightened student — who was the only one on board.

Both teachers were on their way to school the morning of Dec. 19 when they saw the crash on Black Oak Ridge Road, said Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback.

According to police, the bus was northbound and crashed into two cars that had stopped in the left turn lane. Following the collision, police said the bus also struck a traffic signal before crashing into the front of Black Oak Pharmacy, which sustained heavy damage.

The driver and student both reported minor injuries, police said at the time.

Toback presented Tucker and Vogel with special awards at the board's Jan. 16 meeting, praising their "compassion and professionalism." The teachers were familiar with the student and able to help calm her down, he said.

"Your calm presence, your clear-headed decision making, and your willingness to go the extra mile reflect the best of our school system," Toback said.

Tucker is a social studies teacher and Vogel teaches music, according to the school website.

Board members were able to review a video of the crash and its aftermath, and several of them commented on what a difference the teachers made with their presence and how they rushed to help without knowing how many children were aboard.

Trustee Matthew Giordano, who is a former educator himself, said teaching is much more than lesson plans, homework, and grades — it's the human element, he said, and these teachers "displayed the finest elements of a human."

"If my child were on the bus, I'm glad you would have been there also," he said.

"Both of you went up to that bus without even thinking (about) your own safety or anything else, just thinking there could be 45 or 50 kids on board," BOE President Donald Pavlak added.