Students who were hit by car during Montclair High School dismissal had run behind bus, police say

The two students hit by a car during dismissal from Montclair High School Thursday had run across Chestnut Street behind a school bus, before colliding with the driver's side of a Mazda driven by another teen, police said.

Both of the students — a male and female — were taken to area hospitals, acting Lt. Terence Turner said. The male suffered a possible fractured right ankle and a bloody lip after striking the driver-side mirror and was taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson by Montclair EMS, Turner said. The female was sideswiped and fell to the ground, injuring her right knee; she was taken to Mountainside hospital by Glen Ridge EMS, Turner said.

An initial message to parents from the district, shortly after the crash, had only mentioned one student being taken to a hospital. The investigation and response were continuing at that time.

The driver of the Mazda, a 17-year-old from Montclair, immediately pulled to the side of the road and remained on the scene, Turner said. A message from Turner didn't specify whether that person was also a Montclair High School student. 

School security was on scene, immediately followed by police, Montclair EMS and Glen Ridge EMS, Turner said.

The parents of both students were contacted and arrived on the scene as well, he said.

No summonses were issued as a result of this accident. 

“We are thankful for the quick response from our emergency responders and administration,” schools Superintendent Jonathan Ponds said in a message sent Thursday. “Our thoughts are with all of our students and their families.”