Narcan Administered to School Bus Driver Who Allegedly Crashed into Tree, Police Say – TAPinto.net

NEWARK, NJ – City officials say Narcan was administered to the driver of a school bus that allegedly crashed into a tree today at 14th Avenue and Jones Street.

Lisa Byrd, 57, was driving 12 children from 14th Avenue School when it crashed around 1:10 p.m., authorities said. Byrd, of Newark, is a driver from F & A Transport in East Orange, according to authorities.

There were no reported injuries to the children, who range from 5 to 13 years old, authorities said. Byrd was transported to University Hospital for injuries that were unspecified by city authorities.

“Endangering the lives of Newark children is something we will not tolerate,” Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement. “We are grateful that none of the students were injured and that no other residents were harmed due to this incident.”

There was an early dismissal at 1 p.m. for Newark Public Schools today because of the snow.

Byrd faces charges of driving while impaired, possession of drug paraphernalia and 12 counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

“I’m pleased that members of the Newark Police and Fire divisions along with EMS quickly responded and assessed that all the children were safe and unharmed,” Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement. “Driving while impaired is dangerous enough, but adding children to the situation is particularly irresponsible and heinous.”

A man who answered the phone at a company listed as F & A Transportation at 34 Evergreen Pl. in East Orange said the company only does towing and wasn’t aware of a school bus operation. A woman who answered the phone for a company listed as F & A Transportation at 544 William St. in East Orange said she was unaware of the employment status of Byrd and then hung up.

Newark Public Schools has contracted with a company called F & A that does busing, according to public records once obtained by TAPinto Newark.

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