Paramus school bus driver released from jail, told not to drive

Peggy Wright | Morristown Daily Record

Show Caption Hide Caption Detention hearing for Hudy Muldrow Sr. Detention hearing for Hudy Muldrow Sr. the school bus driver involved in a fatal collision killing a student and teacher from Paramus on Rt 80.

MORRISTOWN — The Paramus school bus driver charged with recklessly causing the deaths of a teacher and a fifth grade student after attempting a U-turn on Route 80 was released from jail Wednesday and ordered not to drive.

Hudy Muldrow Sr., 77, was released from the Morris County jail under special conditions after a three-hour hearing at which Chief Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Troiano unsuccessfully argued for Muldrow's continued detention.

Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor ordered Muldrow, a father of 10, released on condition he surrender his driver's license, have no contact with any victims aboard his bus on May 17, and report twice a month to Superior Court's pretrial services unit.

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Troiano argued that Muldrow, a Jersey City resident who worked for the Paramus Board of Education for 34 years, poses a danger to the community and is a flight risk, particularly since he is 77 and facing up to 20 years in prison for the deaths of East Brook Middle School student Miranda Vargas, 10, and teacher Jennifer Williamson-Kennedy, 51.

"With that exposure, he, more than anybody else, has a motive to flee," Troiano said.

Muldrow is next due in court on June 25.

Defense lawyer Matthew Reisig said Muldrow has 10 children and though still married, has been in a 25-year relationship with a Jersey City woman. Muldrow, who also lists an address in Woodland Park, will live with her while awaiting trial.

After lengthy arguments by both lawyers, including over the quality of the evidence, the judge ordered Muldrow's release because he does have family in the area and no criminal record. The judge told Muldrow he can't leave the state without permission and must appear for all future court appearances.

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Reisig argued Muldrow has an "above average" driving record while Troiano called it "atrocious."

The judge noted Muldrow's record includes eight speeding tickets, tickets for careless driving, improper turns, operating a vehicle while suspended and having no insurance. His personal license was suspended seven times and his commercial license was suspended nine times since the 1970s, the judge said.

"That's a terrible driving record in this court's view," Taylor said.

Troiano gave the judge an overview of the evidence he said would result in a prison sentence for Muldrow.

Reisig said Muldrow remembers getting on Route 80, heard a car honk, pulled over to the shoulder but he remembers nothing else.

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911 audio details aftermath of Paramus school bus crash Calls placed to 911 dispatchers from witnesses describe the scene following the deadly Paramus school bus crash on Route 80 in Mount Olive.

Muldrow was part of a convoy of three buses that left East Brook Middle School in Paramus on May 17 bound for a field trip to Waterloo Village in Sussex County.

Muldrow missed an exit and, according to authorities, attempted to cross three lanes of Route 80 west to reach a cut-through on the highway intended for emergency vehicle use only. The bus, carrying 44 passengers, collided with a dump truck through this maneuver and the bus cab was separated from the chassis, authorities said.

Troiano said Muldrow purposely drove in a reckless fashion toward the cut-through, which prompted Reisig to tell the court his client never told authorities he was trying to gain access to the cut-through.

"There's absolutely no evidence in this case my client intended to use the cut-through," Reisig said.

Troiano said the evidence will show otherwise. He referred to a statement from a teacher on the bus who told investigators: "I think he was trying to make a U-turn."

"This is about the death of two individuals through conduct that was wholly preventable," Troiano said.

Reisig said Muldrow, who answered yes or no to a few questions from the judge but otherwise didn't speak, doesn't expect to ever drive again for a living and may be unemployable.

Relatives of the victims were in court, including the widower of Williamson-Kennedy and father of Miranda Vargas, along with relatives of Muldrow.

Doug Williamson, the older brother of Jennifer, was present with his wife and some friends. They wore heart-shaped pins bearing the initials of the victims and the school.

"I have to be here. I need to see this. I want him to see me," Williamson said.

New Jersey no longer has a monetary bail system and defendants are either kept in custody if deemed to pose a danger to the public or released, as Muldrow was, under special conditions.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.