Rep. Gottheimer, family of crash victim push for national school bus safety bill

Rep. Josh Gottheimer was in Washington Wednesday with the family of a Paramus girl who died in a school bus crash to call on Congress to pass his new safety bill.

News 12 Staff

Jun 12, 2019, 10:24 PM

Updated 1,787 days ago

Share:

Rep. Josh Gottheimer was in Washington Wednesday with the family of a Paramus girl who died in a school bus crash to call on Congress to pass his new safety bill.
The bill is named Miranda’s Law after 10-year-old Miranda Vargas who died last year, along with a teacher, when her school bus overturned in a crash on Interstate 80. Dozens of other children were seriously injured.
Gottheimer praised the Vargas family for pushing for new school bus safety reform.
"They have taken that tragedy and come here together to make sure that it never happens to another family. So I want to thank you for your energy, your fearlessness and your willingness through pain to turn this into progress,” the congressman said.
undefined
Miranda’s Law would ensure real-time background checks for school bus drivers. If a driver has anything on their record besides a parking ticket, the bus company would receive an alert within 24 hours.
"Right now, literally, you can have a background check on a Monday. Pass it on a Tuesday, get a DUI and the only requirement is self-reporting. The school district and the school bus company would never know about it,” says Gottheimer.
The driver operating the school bus Miranda was on had several safety violations on his record, according to officials. Investigators say that Hudy Muldrow attempted to make an illegal U-turn on I-80, which led to a dump truck striking the bus. Muldrow is facing vehicular homicide charges.
Gottheimer is also trying to pass the Secures Act, which requires three-point lap and shoulder seat belts on school buses nationwide. New Jersey has already implemented that law following the crash that killed Miranda.


More from News 12
1:48
Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

Meeting held over next steps for cleanup at Bethpage Community Park

1:02
Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

Temps below average for the weekend with possible showers

0:20
Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

Sam Ash Music announces closure of all store locations

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:56
JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant

JAC Shack gives BOCES students chance to work at restaurant

2:39
Deer Park man heads to Washington DC to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease

Deer Park man heads to Washington DC to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease

0:20
Police: 13-year-old robbed at knifepoint on soccer field of Turtle Hook Middle School

Police: 13-year-old robbed at knifepoint on soccer field of Turtle Hook Middle School

0:25
Garbage truck driver indicted for 2023 fatal crash in Hauppauge

Garbage truck driver indicted for 2023 fatal crash in Hauppauge

2:19
Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

Campus police on standby following pro-Palestinian protest arrests at Stony Brook University

0:19
Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

Man wanted for stealing package worth $6,000 from East Northport home

0:59
New York to raise minimum award for tuition assistance program, expand eligibility

New York to raise minimum award for tuition assistance program, expand eligibility

1:44
The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

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

2:11
Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

9 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts