Unlicensed taxi driver picks up, transports wrong child to elementary school

HACKETTSTOWN — A taxi driver hired to transport a first grade student to Willow Grove Elementary School went to the wrong address and gave a ride to the wrong child.

The 7-year-old student who was transported to the correct school, had been waiting to be picked up and brought to school by a friend, police said.

Police officers responded to the school last Tuesday after the first grader's mother spoke to the friend scheduled to provide the ride, and contacted school officials.

Principal Patrick McQueeney said he believed it was "an extremely isolated incident, probably made during a very busy morning."

"We wanted to make sure it was just an honest mistake," McQueeney said. "We were aware this child often gets rides, sometimes in carpools. We just wanted to make sure nothing was awry."

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A police investigation determined driver Ramirez-Gonzalez, 41, of Dover, had been called to transport a child to the school from a neighboring residence, but instead picked up the wrong child at a nearby home.

Ramirez-Gonzalez was operating a vehicle for Hackettstown-based Metro Car Service, police said. He was charged with being an unlicensed taxi driver.

The owner of Metro Car Service, Sergio Rojas, 36, of Hackettstown, was charged with operating an unlicensed taxi, allowing an unlicensed taxi driver to drive, failure to inspect and not having taxi insurance.

Both were released pending a court appearance.

Sgt. Darren Tynan said the charges reflected violations of local ordinances.

A man answering the Metro Car Service line on Monday refused comment and referred questions on the matter back to police before hanging up.

McQueeney said he reviewed transportation procedures with the family following what he termed an "extremely isolated incident."

"We always stress with parents and students about the importance of security and 'stranger danger'," McQueeney said.

Staff writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.