‘Let’s go get it done’: Teen stops school bus after crash

<p>A teenager from Jackson Township jumped into action when his school bus was hit by an SUV and started drifting out of control.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 29, 2018, 3:37 AM

Updated 1,982 days ago

Share:

A teenager from Jackson Township jumped into action when his school bus was hit by an SUV and started drifting out of control.
The bus was headed for Jackson Memorial High School early Wednesday morning when it was hit by the SUV. The bus driver was thrown from her seat and injured. That’s when 16-year-old Evan VanArsdale jumped into action.
"Everybody looks back at me and I'm saying, ‘Alright, well let's go get it done,’” he says.
VanArsdale says that the driver was down in the stairwell of the bus, up against the door, and was stuck. The bus started to drift out of control. He says that he grabbed the emergency brake and also radioed dispatch.
"I just said, ‘Hi, this is [bus] 964. We just got in a recent car accident. Send help if you can,’ and I put it back down and I tried to help [the bus driver] out and keep her calm,” he says.
The bus came to rest up on the side of the road. The driver was taken to the hospital after help arrived. She was treated and released. No other injuries were reported.
VanArsdale says that he was later commended by his principal and the Jackson Township school superintendent. His mom says that she is also very proud of him.


More from News 12
0:41
Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

2:17
Cooler temps today in the 60s for New Jersey ahead of some wet weather this weekend

Cooler temps today in the 60s for New Jersey ahead of some wet weather this weekend

1:42
3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

1:31
Fire chief: 20 people displaced in Elizabeth fire that damaged multiple businesses, apartments

Fire chief: 20 people displaced in Elizabeth fire that damaged multiple businesses, apartments

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

WATCH LIVE: Bridge over section of I-95 is being demolished due to damage from truck fire

WATCH LIVE: Bridge over section of I-95 is being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

0:23
South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

2:10
Paws & Pals: Lilypad now up for adoption with AHS Newark

Paws & Pals: Lilypad now up for adoption with AHS Newark

0:38
Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference semis, topping 76ers 118-115 in Game 6

Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference semis, topping 76ers 118-115 in Game 6

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

1:20
Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

0:36
Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

2:17
Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

0:57
Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

0:22
Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire