Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan announce the sentencing of Hudy Muldrow, 79, of Newark NJ.
The sentence stems from a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on May 17, 2018 on Route 80 in Mt. Olive Township, New Jersey.
Muldrow was sentenced on February 26, 2020 to an aggregate term of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
The first five (5) years of this sentence are subject to the parole ineligibility provisions of the No Early Release Act.
On December 23, 2019, Muldrow pled guilty to two (2) counts of second degree Reckless Vehicular Homicide, one (1) count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of Children, five (5) counts of fourth degree Assault by Auto, and one (1) count of disorderly persons Assault by Auto.
In pleading guilty, Muldrow admitted that on the morning of May 17, 2018, while acting as a school bus driver for the Paramus School District, he recklessly operated a school bus. Muldrow admitted that his reckless operation of the school bus caused the deaths of two of his passengers, M.V., a 5th grade student at East Brook Middle School and J.W., a teacher at East Brook Middle School.
Muldrow also admitted that he caused injuries to five (5) adult passengers and the driver of a dump truck.
He further acknowledged that his conduct created a risk of harm to all 38 children who were passengers on his bus.
Prosecutor Knapp said “The pain and suffering caused by this defendant are immeasurable and will continue forever.
The mass casualties and carnage caused by his criminal acts required the New Jersey State prison sentence imposed by the court today. We sincerely hope that the courageous surviving victims, mostly children, and their families will be able to accept this small measure of closure and solace for their collective and individual loss.”
Sentence was imposed by the Hon. Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr.
The State was represented by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn and Assistant Prosecutor Laura Magnone.
Prosecutor Knapp acknowledges the members of the New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Investigation Unit – North Squad, the New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the New Jersey State Police Troop “B” Totowa-Sub Station and Criminal Investigations Office, the Mount Olive Township Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit who contributed to the successful prosecution of this matter.