Reckless Driver Narrowly Misses Children Exiting School Bus, Arrested After Fleeing the Scene

In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, a Pennsylvania man was arrested after he allegedly almost struck two young children who were getting off a stopped school bus in Branchburg, New Jersey. The driver, identified as Ryan Mongiori, 31, of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, now faces a slew of charges, including endangering the welfare of a child and driving with a suspended license.

Putting Children's Safety at Risk: A Troubling Incident on the Roads

Responding to a 911 Call

On June 4th, at approximately 4:19 p.m., a 911 call reported that a vehicle had nearly hit two juvenile passengers, aged 7 and 6, as they were exiting a stopped school bus on Route 202 in Branchburg. The school bus had come to a complete stop, with its flashing red lights and stop sign activated, when the incident occurred.

Eyewitness Accounts and Video Footage

According to the police, witnesses reported hearing the sound of screeching tires as the vehicle improperly passed the stopped school bus on the right shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle narrowly missed hitting the two children as they were exiting the bus. However, the driver had already fled the scene by the time the Branchburg Police arrived.

Investigating the Incident

Branchburg Police Detectives launched an investigation into the incident, which included reviewing the video surveillance footage from the school bus. The footage captured the harrowing moment when the suspect vehicle almost collided with the two children as they were getting off the bus.

Identifying the Suspect

Through their investigation, the Branchburg Police Detectives were able to identify the involved vehicle and driver as Ryan Mongiori. On June 27th, Mongiori was charged with two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of another person, and one count of fourth-degree driving during a period of license suspension.

Apprehending the Suspect

A warrant was issued for Mongiori's arrest, and on July 4th, he was apprehended by the Bucks County Sheriff's Office in Pennsylvania. Mongiori was then lodged in the Bucks County Correctional Facility, pending extradition to Somerset County, New Jersey.

Seeking Public Assistance

The Branchburg Police Department has expressed gratitude to the Bucks County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in the apprehension of Mongiori. Additionally, the police are urging anyone with information related to this incident to contact the Branchburg Police Department or use the STOPit app to provide anonymous reports, including videos and photos. The Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line is also available for those who wish to provide information confidentially.

Prioritizing Child Safety on the Roads

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of driver responsibility and the need to prioritize the safety of children on our roads. The reckless actions of the driver in this case could have had devastating consequences, and the community is rightfully outraged. As authorities continue to investigate the matter, it is crucial that all drivers remain vigilant and obey traffic laws, especially when school buses are present, to ensure the well-being of our children.