Full Notification

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose report the arrest of Lisa Byrd, 57, of Newark, following a school bus collision at 14th Avenue and Jones Street today.

At approximately 1:10 p.m., Byrd, a school bus operator transporting 12 children from 14th Avenue School, crashed into a tree. Byrd was administered Narcan at the scene.
She is a driver of F & A Transport in East Orange and was transported to University Hospital for treatment. No reported injuries to the children, who range in age from 5 to 13 years old.

Byrd faces charges of 12 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Driving While Impaired and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

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

“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,” Director Ambrose said. “Driving while impaired is dangerous enough, but adding children to the situation is particularly irresponsible and heinous.”

These charges are merely accusations. This suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.