Witnesses sought in probe of Wednesday school bus crash in Stafford

A Wednesday crash in Stafford involving a school mini-bus and two cars is under investigation by township police. They're looking for witnesses.

The bus, owned by Durham School Services, was occupied by a teenaged student and an adult along with the driver, police said, without specifying the school district or agency employing its services.

No one was said to be injured, but any summonses will depend on the outcome of the investigation.

According to authorities, it was about 2 PM on rainy Route 72 when bus driver Anni McNelly, 75, of West Creek, began turning left from the eastbound lanes across the highway to reach Nautilus Drive.

She hadn't completed the turn when a 2010 Jeep driven by Joseph Schmid, 30, of Manahawkin, approached, police said.

Schmid tried to steer clear of the bus but glanced off it at the intersection and hit a car on Nautilus Drive that was stopped before entering the westbound lanes of the highway. The car was driven by Margaret Franchi, 43, of Whiting.

Stafford PD Officer Justin Pascale heads the investigation. He can be reached at 609-597-1189, extension 8436.