1970 — July 15, Long Isl., NY, Hillel Day Sch., Charter Bus Wreck, ~New Smithville, PA–7

–7 Altoona Mirror, PA. “Bus Driver Faced Sixth Suspension.” 7-18-1970, p. 26.
–7 Altoona Mirror, PA. “Judge Denies Mistrial Move in Bus Case.” 4-14-1971, p. 31.
–7 Altoona Mirror, PA. “Second Hearing in Fatal Bus Mishap Opens.” 11-3-1970, 19.
–7 Altoona Mirror, PA. “Three Charged in Bus Crash Go on Trial.” 4-13-1971, p. 6.
–7 Altoona Mirror, PA. “Tires Shown as Evidence in Bus Crash Case.” 4-15-1971, p. 24.
–7 Bridgeport Post, CT. “Bus Men Suing in Death Crash.” 7-2-1971, p. 17.
–7 Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, OH. “$10 million suit filed for injuries.” 1-13-1971, p. 19.
–7 Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Bus Driver Hit Road Condition Before….” 4-17-1971, 4.
–7 Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Ask $10 Mil…Injuries…Bus Accident.” 1-13-1971, 19.
–7 Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Claims Firm Operated Unsafe Buses.” 7-24-1970, p. 12.
–7 Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Drove Bus Two Days Before Fatal…” 9-3-1970, p. 23.
–7 Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Hearing…for Trio Charged in Bus Tragedy.” 8-31-1970.
–7 Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Improving Road Where…Bus Crashed…” 8-6-1970, 28.
–7 Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Owner…Driver…Prejudged.” 8-3-1970, 15.
–7 Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “School Bus Wheel Play Excessive.” 8-27-1970, p. 17.
–7 Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. “Bus safety Precautions” – Editorial. 8-5-1970, p. 8.
–7 Gettysburg Times, PA. “11 Tedesco Busses Idled.” 7-29-1970, p. 19.
–7 Gettysburg Times, PA. “Bulletins by the Associated Press.” 1-12-1971, 4.
–7 Gettysburg Times, PA. “Bus Steering Was Faulty.” 9-4-1970, p. 12.
–7 Gettysburg Times, PA. “State Lacks Inspectors to Check Buses.” 7-30-1970, 19.
–7 Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “Bus Owner, Aide Free on $7,000 Bail.” 8-15-1970, p. 2.
–7 Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “Prejudging of Bus Driver is Attacked.” 8-1-1970, p. 2.
–7 Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Bus Crash Manslaughter Case Dropped.” 4-19-1971, p. 4.
–7 Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Bus Firm Owner to be Charged.” 8-13-1970, p. 1.
–7 Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Shapp Victory Top 1970 Story in Pa.” 12-21-1970, p. 23.
–7 Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. “3 Indicted in 7-Death Bus Accident.” 12-24-1970, p. 9.
–7 Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. “Bus Crash is Blamed on Steering.” 8-28-1970, p. 2.
–7 Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Bus Driver…Charged…Crash Which Seven Died.” 7-22-1970, 3
–7 Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Jersey City Bus Firm Fined for Illegal Trips.” 10-8-1971, p. 11.
–7 Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Mishap Per Month at Scene of Fatal Crash.” 7-25-1970, p. 1.
–7 Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Plans to Appeal Ruling in Crash of Bus.” 5-6-1971, p. 40.
–7 Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Testimony to End in Fatal Bus Crash Trial.” 9-9-1970, 25.
–7 Lebanon Daily News, PA. “To File Criminal Charges Against NJ Bus Driver.” 7-21-1970, 7.
–7 Lebanon Daily News, PA. “U.S. Hearing Ordered into Fatal Bus Crash” 7-17-1970, 1 & 7.
–7 Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “Bus Firm Sued for $4 Million.” 1-13-1971, p. 2.
–7 New Castle News, PA. “Accident Hearing Continues.” 9-2-1970, 2.
–7 New Castle News, PA. “Charges Dropped.” 4-19-1971, p. 1.
–7 New Castle News, PA. “Driver Concerned.” 4-16-1971, p. 2.
–7 New Castle News, PA. “Tedesco, Others Held Over. Bus Case to Grand Jury.” 9-12-1970, 2.
–7 New Castle News, PA. “Top Ten Stories.” 1-27-1971,p. G-5.
–7 New Castle News, PA. “Trio Clear in School Bus Crash.” 4-20-1971, p. 2.
–7 New York Times. “Obituaries. Frank A. Tedesco, 68, Bus Company Founder.” 11-2-1993.
–7 NTSB. Chartered Bus Crash on U.S. Route 22…Near New Smithville… Sep 8, 1971.
–7 Post-Register, Idaho Falls, ID. “Bus Driver’s Record Full of Violations.” 7-19-1970, p. 15.
–7 Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “7 Children on Excursion Killed in Bus Wreck.” 7-16-1970, 1
–7 Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. “Investigators Plan Look at Bus’s Speed….” 7-20-1970, 2.
–7 The Derrick, Oil City, PA. “Hearing on Fatal Bus Crash Ends.” 9-11-1970, p. 6.
–7 The Derrick, Oil City, PA. “Tour Director Testifies at Bus Crash Hearing.” 11-5-1970, p. 3.
–7 Titusville Herald, PA. “Bus Skids, Killing 7 Children.” 7-16-1970, p. 1.

Narrative Information

National Transportation Safety Board:
“Synopsis

“About 1:55 p.m., July 15, 1970, a chartered tour bus carrying a group of young people, aged 10 to 17, and counselors on a sightseeing trip was westbound on U.S. 22 (interstate 78, four lanes, limited access) about 12 miles west of Allentown, Pennsylvania, at a speed of (about) 55 miles per hour. A light rain was falling and had been preceded by a heavy shower.

“While it was on a 2 degree curve to the right, just east of the Berks-Lehigh County line, the bus started to slide on the wet highway, then rotated 180 degrees clockwise through the guardrail and off the northern embankment. It overturned at the bottom of the embankment, ejecting 18 persons and pinning six of them under the left side of the bus. Seven children were fatally injured. No fire ensued.

“The highway at the accident site when wet was found to have a skid number lower than the minimum recommended by Federal Highway Administration, and improper drainage resulting from inadequate maintenance of the median. It had a significantly high accident record involving skidding and loss of vehicle control. After the crash, a dramatic reduction in accidents resulted from the surface grooving, grading and paving of the median and shoulders, and replacement of the cable-type guardrail with a W-beam type.

“The two left-rear tires of the bus were smooth; all others had adequate tread. Steering-system damage, found after the crash, could not be positively established as being pre-crash, in-crash, or post-crash induced.

“The driver, a 45-year-old male, had a poor health history and a substantial record of traffic violations and accidents, but no specific health factor or driving error was involved in this crash.

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was either dynamic or viscous hydroplaning of the front wheels of the bus which initiated a skid from which the driver could not recover. Contributing factors included low basic skid resistance of the pavement in wet weather, and the probable presence of water draining across the pavement in an abnormal manner. The fatalities and injuries were caused by an ineffective highway guardrail which failed to prevent the bus from rolling down an embankment, by bus windows, which failed to prevent ejection of some passengers, and in some cases, by the absence of occupant restraints.

“Recommendations

“The National Transportation Safety Board has directed recommendations to the State of Pennsylvania, dated July 22, 1970… The Safety Board…recommends that:

1. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) initiate a program to standardize the determination of wet highway skid resistance criteria, and to define a specific “skid number” below which surface (and other needed) improvement must be made, to prevent accidents at locations having substandard skid numbers; or use of the highway be suspended; or specific speed controls be instituted. FHWA approved remedies should be made available to the States in conjunction with FHWA financial assistance in their implementation.

2. The FHWA, in conjunction with the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO), initiate a program of testing highway guardrails with a view to establishing standards for guardrails to contain or deflect large or heavy vehicles, such as trucks or buses, under a defined range of accident-impact conditions.

3. The Department of Transportation, in full recognition of the existing limitations on the scope of services renderable by the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety, FHWA, because of manpower limitations, seek authorization and appropriations from the Congress to expand the strength and operations of said Bureau to enable it to provide the level of supervisory and inspections service over interstate chartered buses and charter-bus operations necessary to assure a level of safety commensurate with the public’s right to safe travel in chartered vehicles. Notwithstanding any extended delay in attaining a level of greater manpower and service capabilities, the Bureau should take all immediate steps necessary to serve copies of existing Motor Carrier Safety Regulations on all known interstate charter-bus operators and companies, including those operating in the so-called “commercial zones” and municipalities.

4. The several States with the assistance of the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety (BMCS), of FHWA, and the National Association of Motor Bus Owners (NAMBO) jointly develop and institute programs to establish uniform guides and procedures for promoting safety in intrastate chartered buses and charter bus operations, including the designation of State oversight responsibility.

5. The New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles (and all States not now doing so) expedite action to bring State driver licensing requirements and procedures into full conformance with the Highway Safety Program Standards promulgated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

6. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn-DOT) review the priority status of the extraordinarily effective highway improvements made after this accident to U.S. Route 22 (1-78), to determine whether some or all of those methods should not be given higher status in relation to other possible highway improvements.

7. The American Association of State Highway officials recognizing the importance of proper highway drainage in preventing or minimizing the opportunities for vehicle “hydroplaning,” emphasize to all its members the need to provide aggressive inspection and maintenance of median and shoulder drainage systems, and to keep debris, vegetation, and erosion from rendering drainage systems ineffective.

8. FHWA take positive steps toward making available to the bus-traveling public convenient restraints against being ejected from their seats in a crash or rollover, such as are available to motorists and to airline passengers, so that bus passengers will not be denied their rightful opportunity to employ them whenever they so desire. (This recommendation, with similar intent but varying in language has been made in four prior interstate bus crash reports issued by the Safety Board.).

9. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expedite its rulemaking procedures relating to Docket 2-10, “Bus Window Retention and Release,” advance notice of proposed rulemaking of which was first issued October 14, 1967 in order to make its contents a mandatory standard at the earliest possible date.

10. The National Highway Traffic Review Administration and the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety, FHWA, review the Safety Board’s Recommendation No. 6 in its Highway Accident Report SS-H-5. “Chartered Interstate Bus Crash Interstate Route 1-80S, near Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1968,” which recommendation the Board now reiterates, relating to the question of whether there is need for an indicator to show the direction of heading of the front wheels, and necessary steering-wheel movement, in recovering from emergency situations.

(NTSB. Highway Accident Report. Chartered Bus Crash on U.S. Route 22 (Interstate 78), Near New Smithville, Pennsylvania July 15, 1970 (NTSB No. HAR-71/08 NTIS No. PB-204473). Washington, DC: NTSB, Adopted Sep 8, 1971, released Nov 30, 1971.)

Newspapers

July 16, United Press International: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — A chartered bus carrying school children on a tour of the Pennsylvania Amish country skidded in a rainstorm and rolled over a 50-foot embankment Wednesday [15th], pinning dead and injured in the wreckage. Seven children were killed and 51 other persons on the bus were injured, police said. The dead were identified as:

Bonnie Eisenberg, 437 Beach 123rd St., Belle Harbor, N.Y.
Nancy Jacobson, 1071 Fordham Lane, Woodmere, N.Y.
Randle Lewis, 568 Norman Way, Woodmere, N.Y.
Randi Press, 486 Oxford Road, Cedarhurst, N.Y.
Spencer Jaffe, 43 Lawrence Avenue, Lawrence, N.Y.
Jonathan Elstein, 818 Cornaga Ave., Far Rockaway, N.Y.
Lisa Gerstman, 43 Cloverdale Rd., Valley Stream, N.Y.

“Loaded with children and counselors from the Hillel School, a private Jewish day school in Lawrence, N.Y., the bus skidded on a slight curve on rain-slick U.S. 22, 10 miles west of Allentown. The bus ripped through guardrails, fell nose first down the hill, flipped over and landed against the stone foundation of an old vacant house, a state trooper said. The roof and the side of the bus were ripped open. One of the children, Daniel Steinberg, 11, of Far Rockaway, N.Y., said the bus went into a spin, ‘rotating around me.’ ‘It went side to side down the hill,’ he said, ‘and when it stopped I looked and saw a little hole to the left of me, a foot wide, and I and about six others crawled through the hole.’

“Some of the occupants were thrown from the bus and about six persons were pinned beneath it. Others were trapped inside. ‘It was a mess,’ said State Trooper Robert Clarson, one of the first persons at the crash scene. ‘There were children all over — in the embankment, in the grass, in the bus.’ ‘They were crying and very upset. Most of them appeared to be in shock.’
A dozen motorists and truck drivers stopped to administer first aid, he said. ‘They tried to comfort the children, to stop the bleeding with towels and blankets.’

“Anguished parents gathered at the plush school in Lawrence, a wealthy New York City suburb, after they were told about the crash. Many of them just wandered aimlessly through the corridors. Some set out in cars or on a small commuter airlines flight to get to Allentown. Other parents obtained reservations on two commercial airline flights.

“School officials told the parents they would be notified when word of their children was received from Allentown. At least five of the injured were counselors, a spokesman said.

“Some of the truckers who stopped at the crash scene brought hydraulic jacks and helped lift the wrecked bus with cables. Rescue crews then combed through the rubble. Nine ambulances took the dead and injured away.” (Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “7 Children on Excursion Killed in Bus Wreck.” 7-16-1970, 1 and 2.)

July 16, Associated Press: “Allentown, Pa. (AP) – A bus loaded with children on an overnight excursion skidded in the rain Wednesday and pitched down a bank, killing seven and injuring 52. A state trooper said the bus apparently flipped end over — from back to front – throwing some of the children out and then landing on top of them. One boy was thrown 100 feet, the trooper said.

“It took two hours to remove the bodies from beneath the bus, a charter from a day school on Long Island headed for a tour of the Amish country.

“The bus ripped up ‘I’ beams along U.S. 22 about 15 miles west of Allentown, dropped down the 50 foot bank and landed in some nearby underbrush about 30 yards from a farmhouse.

“Philip Gaar, a representative of the school, Hillel Country Day School, of Lawrence, said there were 49 children aged 11 to 14 aboard the bus, along with 10 adults. ‘When I looked up, I saw the bus just spinning off the road,’ he said. ‘It seemed to lose control and go off the road.’ One child aboard, Allen Burkin of Woodmere, said he was sitting in the back seat when the accident happened. ‘All I. know is the bus started turning and somebody screamed to grab ahold of something,’ he said, ‘and that’s exactly what I did.’ ‘Then a boy started falling out of the bus so I caught him.’ Allen said it was raining. ‘There was a sign a couple miles up the rod that said slippery when wet,’ he said.

“A trooper said the spot where the accident happened is the ‘hottest spot on U.S. 22. When this road gets a little wet, it is like a grease stick. You just zip right off.’ A truck ran off the road at the same spot as the bus just last week, and the wreckage of another truck, which went off the road two weeks ago, still sits on the other side….

“The children were to spend the afternoon at Hershey, the chocolate center, and then go on to York for the night. Thursday, they were to spend in the Lancaster area before returning to New York at 7 pm.” (Titusville Herald, PA. “Bus Skids, Killing 7 Children.” 7-16-1970, p. 1.)

July 17, United Press International: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — A federal hearing was ordered today to determine what caused a chartered bus to skid off rain-slicked Interstate 78 Wednesday, killing seven school children. John H. Reed, chairman of the National Transportation and Safety Board, who is investigating the accident, said he will schedule a hearing within 4 to 6 weeks to obtain ‘eyewitness’ testimony.

“Reed said the S-shaped portion of the highway where the bus skidded was “an accident-prone stretch of highway” and scene of three accidents within a week. Lt. William J. Walker, commanding officer of regional State police barracks, disclosed Thursday that the rear tires of the bus were ‘bald’ and investigators were attempting to learn if the vehicle was travelling at ‘excessive speed.’ Walker said the road had an ‘old concrete’ surface which was less resistant to skids than newer pavement.

“The bus, carrying children and camp counselors on a summer outing, skidded on a rain-slick, S-shaped curve of Interstate 78 Wednesday and plunged down a 50-foot embankment. It addition to the 7 killed 52 others were injured.

“Two bald rear tires were impounded by state police as part of the investigation. Police said they hope to question the driver of the bus, Hubert Daye, who is hospitalized in critical condition. The bus was chartered from Academy Charter Co. of Bayonne, N.J., by a Hebrew day camp at Lawrence, N.Y., to carry the children on an overnight excursion in Pennsylvania Dutch country.

“The investigation itself was described by state police as ‘the most intensive accident investigation we’ve had in this area.’

“Survivors reported they had ‘no sense of traveling at an excessive speed’ before a bus wreck that killed seven children, a federal investigator said….

“The highway known at Rte. 22 before becoming part of the interstate system, has a 60 mile per hour speed limit for cars and a 55 mph limit for buses and trucks….

“Investigators indicated the crash was caused by a combination of hazards, including worn tires and an unsafe roadway. Reed said the crash was not unusual ‘considering the given circumstances.’ The stretch was earmarked for improvements, state officials said. The work was postponed for lack of funds.

“The steering and the transmission on the bus had not been tested, Reed said. The brakes proved to be ‘all right.’ ‘It is the safety board’s intention to review the overall safety aspects of the transportation generally and to investigate and determine the cause of the Pennsylvania tragedy specifically,’ he said.” (Lebanon Daily News, PA. “U.S. Hearing Ordered into Fatal Bus Crash” 7-17-1970, 1 & 7.)

July 18: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) – A sixth license suspension was under consideration for a driver at the time his bus crashed and killed seven children, according to authorities. Ronald Heymann, director of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Bureau, said Hubert Daye had a long history of traffic accidents, convictions and suspensions.

“Daye cannot be questioned about the fatal accident on Interstate 78 near here Wednesday because he was injured critically. Fifty-one other passengers were injured. Heymann said but for a ‘human judgment mistake Daye’s license would have been revoked before the accident.’ Heymann said records from September 1962 disclosed Daye had been involved in at least eight traffic accidents, and was convicted of at least seven driving violations and had his license suspended at least five times. The sixth suspension was under consideration at the time of the fatal accident, Heyman said. Daye could have avoided suspension by attending a driving instruction class scheduled to begin Aug. 25. ‘Daye’s traffic record clearly indicated that he should not have been granted permission to drive a commercial vehicle on state highways,’ Heymann said. Despite the pending action the Motor Vehicles Bureau last May 6 issued a license authorizing Daye to drive a chartered bus.

“On Friday a 40-minute memorial service for the seven Long Island children who died in the accident was held at Temple Beth Shalom in Lawrence, N.Y….The victims, members of the Hillel School summer day camp, were among 59 aboard the chartered bus when it plunged over an embankment.

“The same stretch of highway was the scene of three other accidents within the past week. At the time of the accident Wednesday, the S-shaped portion of the road was slick with rain, but the area was marked by a sign warning ‘slippery when wet.’

“The New Jersey Public Utilities Commission said the bus was inspected two months ago and had fulfilled minimum safety standards. But Pennsylvania State Police said some of the rear tires on the bus were ‘bald’ at the time of the accident. The bus was owned by the Tedesco Bus Co. of Jersey City, N.J., and leased by the Academy Charter Service of Bayonne, N.J….” (Altoona Mirror, PA. “Bus Driver Faced Sixth Suspension.” 7-18-1970, p. 26.)

July 19: “Allentown, PA (AP) — New Jersey motor vehicle authorities have notified investigators of a long record of reckless and illegal driving attributed to the operator of a bus which carried seven children to their deaths Wednesday….Charles Mellon, assistant director of the New Jersey Bureau of Motor Vehicles, said the driver ‘should have been grounded for life’ in October 1967, when he was found guilty of driving on a suspended license. Instead the man was given an additional six-month suspension and in May was granted a license to drive charter buses. This license was granted two months after the man had been denied a license to drive school buses on the basis of his past driving record and arrests in Essex County, N.J., for check passing and bigamy.

“The driver of the bus was injured critically in the accident and has remained in a coma. Pennsylvania state troopers found no driver’s license in his possession and said his condition would not permit fingerprinting.

“From other papers, however, he was identified as Hubert Daye, 44, of Montclair, N.J. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Bureau records show that Daye’s license was suspended for a year in 1966, and again for six months in 1967. In April, Daye was given the choice of another suspension or taking a driver training course. The course was to have begun in August. On Friday, Ronald M. Heymann, director of the Motor Vehicle Bureau, ordered Daye’s license revoked indefinitely.” (Post-Register, Idaho Falls, ID. “Bus Driver’s Record Full of Violations.” 7-19-1970, p. 15.)

July 20: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) – A cigar box-shaped instrument which records a vehicle’s speed held the attention today of authorities investigating a charter bus crash which killed seven children and injured 52 persons on a tour last Wednesday. State police planned to open the tachometer…to learn the exact speed the bus was traveling when it skidded in a rainstorm and tumbled down a 50-foot embankment while taking children from the Hillel Day School in Lawrence, N.Y., on a two-day tour of the Amish region.

“Investigators were also waiting to question the driver of the bus, Hubert Daye, 45, of Montclair, N.J., who was seriously injured in the crash. Officials at Allentown Hospital said Daye was conscious and in fair condition Sunday, but he remained in the cardiac section of the hospital’s intensive care unit. Police were not allowed to talk to him. Hospital officials said Daye, who had a history of heart trouble and who suffered a heart attack one year ago, may have suffered a second coronary while undergoing treatment for crash injuries….

“In another development, William E. Ozzard, administrative head of the New Jersey Department
of Public Utilities, said his office has learned of two things which might have affected the bus’ performance – unbalanced tire pressure and a missing steering wheel pin. The left rear tires were ‘out of balance so far as air pressure was concerned,’ Ozzard said. ‘This will tend to give a little sway to any vehicle.’ He said one tire was at 75 pounds of pressure and the other about 115 pounds. Ozzard also said a pin in the steering column had been sheared off and if this happened prior to the accident there would have been eight to 10 inches of play in the steering wheel.” (Leader-Times, Kittanning PA. “Investigators Plan Look…Bus’s Speed Recorder.” 7-20-1970, p. 2.)

July 21: “Allentown, Pa. (AP) – Criminal charges will be filed against the driver of a bus that crashed near here Wednesday, killing seven children and injuring 52 other persons, Lehigh County Dist. Atty. George Joseph said Monday. In a news conference, Joseph said state police will file seven charges of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday against Hubert Daye, 44, of Montclair, N.J. He said Daye will be arraigned as soon as he is able to leave the hospital. Daye was injured in the crash and was listed in fair condition in the intensive care cardiac section of Allentown Hospital.

“Joseph also announced, ‘We are at this time studying the possibility of filing charges against another individual or individuals associated with the Tedesco Bus Co., the owner of the bus.’ Owner of the bus was listed as Frank Tedesco. Joseph said he had requested Tedesco to come to Allentown but got no response. State police reportedly have been unable to locate Tedesco.

“Lehigh County Judge Donald Wieand refused Monday to stop state police from continuing the examination of the wrecked bus. The request for an injunction to halt the examination was filed by an attorney who said he represented the insurance firm covering for the Tedesco Bus Co. The attorney said the bus company wanted to participate, in the examination and requested permission to have company mechanics on the scene. Joseph opposed the petition but said the mechanics could observe without touching anything.

“Joseph revealed investigators have located an eyewitness to the crash but refused to identify him. The unidentified witness was scheduled to be further interviewed later this week.

“The district attorney said that when investigators opened a tachograph – a device which is supposed to record the bus’s speed – they found there was no paper recording disc in the…device. The vehicle’s speed could be a crucial factor.

“The accident occurred on a reverse turn on U. S. 22 about 15 miles west of here near New Smithville.” (Lebanon Daily News, PA. “To File Criminal Charges Against N.J. Bus Driver.” 7-21-1970, p. 7.)

July 22: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — Hubert Daye, 45, driver of a chartered bus which crashed here killing seven children, was freed in $7,000 bail Tuesday on involuntary manslaughter charges. During his arraignment, his wife, Henrietta, also 45, collapsed and died in the receiving ward of Allentown General Hospital when she attempted to leave to join her husband in court. Daye had been a patient since the accident last Wednesday and was under treatment for a heart ailment. He was first discharged Tuesday morning and taken by state troopers to nearby Wescoesville for arraignment. Mrs. Daye had been staying at a nursing residence across the street from the hospital. She came to the emergency ward Tuesday morning and complained of chest pains about 20 minutes after her husband left for the arraignment.

“Hospital authorities said she died at 11:15 a.m. after rejecting doctor’s advice to stay. A hospital spokesman said she had learned that her husband had been taken to court and she attempted to leave. She collapsed in the doorway and died of ‘an apparent massive stroke,’ a hospital spokesman said.

“At the arraignment, Daye was not informed of his wife’s death. He was returned to the hospital where he was placed under the care of his physician, who told him his wife was dead. The bus driver was again discharged several hours later….” (Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Bus Driver is Charged in Crash Which Seven Died.” 7-22-1970, p. 3.)

July 24: “Keansburg, J.J. (UPI) – A former driver for the Tedesco Bus Co. of Jersey City, which owned the bus that crashed in Allentown, Pa., last week killing seven children, said he drove for Tedesco for two months even though his license was suspended….Richard Suckow, 28, also said today that Daye had refused two days before the fatal crash to take out a bus because he thought it was unsafe. Suckow said that he was fired July 13 when he quarreled with Frank A. Tedesco, owner of the company, over his charge that a bus he had been assigned was also unsafe. Suckow’s license was suspended Jan. 20 for point system violations.

“Suckow was arrested in Woodbridge Sunday night on charges of careless driving, driving with an altered license and driving while his license was on the revoked list.

“State Department of Motor Vehicles records in Trenton showed Suckow’s license was suspended Jan. 20 and that he was issued a special ‘for hire’ license, the same type Daye had, in June, 1969. The records showed two speeding and three other traffic convictions between October, 1968, and April 1969, when he received a notice of a proposed suspension of his license.

“In September 1969, Suckow was convicted of speeding, passing a stop sign and also was involved in an accident. Four months later, his license was suspended for six months and he was informed he would have to take another physical examination to have it renewed. Division records show no attempt to renew it.” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Claims Firm Operated Unsafe Buses.” 7-24-1970, p. 12.)

July 25: “Washington (UPI) – The National Transportation Safety Board says there has been an average of almost one accident per month on a curving quarter-mile stretch of Interstate 70 [78] near Allentown, Pa., where a bus crash killed seven children last week. The board said there have been 40 accidents there during the last 42 months.

“In a letter to Gov. Raymond Shafer of Pennsylvania, the board recommended the speed limit on that part of the highway be reduced below the present 60 miles an hour and that the state improve the skid resistance of the highway.

“In a separate action, the Interstate Commerce Commission said it would hold its own investigation into the July 15 crash that killed seven and inured 52, to determine if the bus owner was properly licensed….” (Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Mishap Per Month at Scene of Fatal Crash of Bus.” 7-25-1970, p. 1.)

July 29: “Trenton (AP) – The Public Service Commission has ordered out of operation 11 buses owned by Frank A. Tedesco, who owned the bus that crashed near Allentown, Pa., on July 15, killing seven children. Commission inspectors have been assigned to examine all 70 buses owned by Tedesco and have inspected half of them. Mrs. Karen Oliver, a commission spokesman said some of the buses were rejected because of the condition of their tires or brakes, but that none of the tires was found to be bald. Some of the buses ordered out of service have been repaired and put back into service. Investigators of the Allentown accident said two left rear tires on the bus were almost treadless, that its steering mechanism might have been defective and that the driver had a long record of traffic violations.” (Gettysburg Times, PA. “11 Tedesco Busses Idled.” 7-29-1970, p. 19.)

July 30: “Newark (AP) – The State Public Utilities Commission would like more money to hire more inspectors for the 6,000 charter buses operated in New Jersey. It has only 17 to do the job. Last May 12 a PUC inspector checked put a charter bus at a garage in Bayonne and approved it for road hire. Sixty-four days later the bus ran off Route 22 near Allentown, Pa. and seven children were killed. A PUC spokesman said Wednesday, ‘the only thing that could prevent something like this is monthly inspections.’ When the bus passed inspection all the tires had the allowable 3-32nds of an inch of tread. But when Pennsylvania authorities examined it after the July 15th – crash, they reported the tread on one rear tire was badly worn.

“The PUC official explained that a new bus tire has 12-32nds of an inch of tread and has an estimated road life of 60,000 miles. The official said that meant the Allentown bus had an estimated 15,000 miles remaining on the rear tire when it passed inspection. But in the 64 days between the inspection and the accident the bus traveled more than 15,000 miles. The PUC spokesman said on the basis of this information and past information it could be assumed the tire had been worn past use. ‘Its’ possible it went from 3-32nds to absolutely nothing,’ the official said.

“The PUC’s 17 inspectors are expected to check more than 6,000 charter buses in the state twice a year or about 700 inspections per man per year. Buses become due for inspection much the same as automobiles. Bus inspection dates depend on the first time a vehicle is inspected and later inspections continue at six-month intervals.

“Hearing on Tragedy. Washington (AP) – A public hearing into the cause of a bus crash which killed seven children near Allentown, Pa, July 15 will be opened Sept. 22 by the National Transportation Safety Board. Testimony is expected from at least 25 persons during the three day inquiry in Allentown. Francis H. McAdams, a member of the safety board, will act as chairman.” (Gettysburg Times, PA {Carl Zeitz, AP}. “State Lacks Inspectors to Check Buses.” 7-30-1970, 19.)

Aug 1: “Jersey City, N.J. (UPI) — A charter bus driver charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deaths at seven private school children in a July 15 crash near Allentown, Pa., may have been “prejudged,” according to his employer. The driver, Hubert Daye, 45, of Montclair, N.J., was using a special ‘for hire’ charter bus license at the time of the accident. His personal license had been suspended after a series of traffic violations and accidents. ‘We may be prejudging the driver,’ Frank Tedesco, owner of five bus companies, said Friday. ‘I’m not ready to prejudge any man’ Tedesco, who also is chairman of the Jersey City Housing Authority, said he believed a sample of other companies would show drivers ‘with similar driving records.’ The bus company owner doubted reports the bus involved in the accident had ‘bald’ tires. He said he received differing reports on the tread wear on the left rear tire. He said he understood the bus had new tires on the front wheels and the right rear.

“Tedesco said he had dismissed two part-time drivers who failed to return to work when their backgrounds were checked following the accident of the Academy Charter Service bus. He said six full-time drivers and another 15 to 20 part-time drivers work for him. He said 19 of his buses were ordered out of service for short periods by the Public Utilities Commission in ‘sneak’ inspections designed to ‘harass’ him. Most of the defects were minor, he said.

“The state Motor Vehicles Division denied him background information on a company driver over the telephone, he said. The division denied Tedesco’s charge, saying it releases information to fleet owners over the telephone.” (Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “Prejudging of Bus Driver is Attacked.” 8-1-1970, p. 2.)

Aug 3: “Jersey City, N.J. (UPI) — The owner [Frank Tedesco] of a bus involved in an accident which killed seven children near Allentown, Pa., said Friday…at a news conference in his attorney’s office…that since the accident July 15 the PUC [Public Utilities Commission] ordered 19 of his buses out of service for short periods for what he said were minor defects. Tedesco said that if the same restrictions were imposed against other bus companies in the state, about half of the buses would have to be taken out of service. Mrs. Karen Oliver, a PUC spokesman, said Tedesco probably was right. Raymond Chasan, Tedesco’s attorney, said the news conference was called because the press was unfair to his client. Tedesco also said ‘there is room for improvement’ in the licensing procedure in the state Motor Vehicle Division.” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Owner Says Bus Driver May Have Been Prejudged.” 8-3-1970, p. 15.)

“The occurrence of serious accidents to chartered buses, in one of which seven children were killed near Allentown, Pa., and 52 persons injured when the bus plunged down an embankment, has renewed agitation for better safety rules governing intercity bus transportation. It appears that in the Allentown accident the driver had a record of previous violations. He has been arraigned for involuntary manslaughter.

“Also he had no federal certificate showing Interstate Commerce Commission approval of his interstate trip on a chartered bus. It is a fact that the ICC has jurisdiction over interstate bus transportation bus travel, but lacks facilities for enforcement.

“One argument raised is that there are no adequate provisions for seat belts, and that some of the fatalities, if not all , might have been prevented if the bus passengers had been using seat belts. Hardly any bus passengers do use seat belts.

“There is in fact little effort of the Interstate Commerce Commission to impose or enforce safety
regulations on chartered bus travel, which has increased greatly in the last two years, while regularly scheduled bus travel has correspondingly declined. Many of the riders on chartered buses are young people.

“Post-accident inspection of wrecked buses often discloses faults in equipment. In the Allentown case, the rear tires had hardly any tread, and the brakes were not good. Since the Interstate Commerce Commission has been unable to exercise its supervision of the railroad systems, the chance is that there will be a demand for a separate commission on bus safety.” (Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. “Bus safety Precautions” – Editorial. 8-5-1970, p. 8.)

Aug 6: “Harrisburg (UPI) – Improvements to a section of U. S. 22 near Allentown where seven New York school children died in a bus accident July 15 are being made by the state. In a letter to John H. Reed, chairman of the National Transportation Board of the Federal Transportation Department, Gov. Raymond P. Shafer said that the immediate repairs hopefully ‘will serve to materially reduce accidents in this location.’ The state is paving the shoulder on both sides of the road, installing guardrails, putting in additional warning signs and attaching a yellow light to the existing ‘slippery when wet’ warning sign.

“Shafer said the state transportation department was considering a reduction in the existing speed limit and was negotiating a contract to groove the pavement. State officials have found the ‘gradient, curvature and skid resistance of the roadway’ were within allowable limits for interstate roads,’ the governor said. He noted the state transportation department had not arrived at a conclusion as to the effect of the roadway on the July 15 accident and the many other accidents at that location. He said investigation had revealed a majority of the accidents there occurred during rain and therefore the phenomenon of hydroplaning may have been a factor.

“Hydroplaning occurs when a motor vehicle, as a result of its speed, lifts on top of a film of water on a wet roadway and rides on the water rather than on the road surface. The governor said long-range plans currently being developed by the state call for upgrading of the road, which is part of Interstate 78, from the Berks County line to the proposed new location for Interstate 78 near Allentown.” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Improving Road Where School Bus Crash Killed Seven.” 8-6-1970, p. 28.)

Aug 13: “Allentown, Pa. (AP) – Dist. Atty. George Joseph said today he will file involuntary manslaughter charges against the owner of a bus company and its garage supervisor as a result of a chartered bus crash that killed seven children near here last month. The driver was earlier charged with involuntary manslaughter. Joseph told a news conference he would file seven counts of involuntary manslaughter against Frank Tedesco, 52, owner and president of Tedesco Bus Co., Inc., Jersey City, N.J., Michael Grazioso, 45, the garage supervisor….

“Both Tedesco and Grazioso according to Joseph, permitted the mechanical errors to exist ‘by their failure to carry out their duties and responsibilities and allowed a situation to exist which resulted in these mechanical errors that eventually became significant factors in the accidents.’ Joseph said Tedesco as president ‘also played an immediate day-to-day role in supervising his bus company, personally participating in hiring and firing employes including drivers and personally directed the assignment of buses on trips and charters.” (Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Bus Firm Owner to be Charged.” 8-13-1970, p. 1.)

Aug 15: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) – The owner of a bus company and his garage superintendent were freed on $7,000 bail Friday after they were charged with involuntary manslaughter stemming from a bus crash which killed seven children. Frank Tedesco, 52, of Jersey City, N.J., the owner and Micheal Grazloso, 45, of South Toms River, N.J., were freed on bail after appearing before a magistrate sitting in nearby Macungie Township. They were told to appear at a hearing here Aug. 24, along with the driver of the bus, Hubert Daye, 44, of Montclair, N.J….

“The bus carrying children from Long Island, N.Y. on a tour of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, skidded off Route 22 in nearby Wescoesville and plunged 50 feet down an embankment.

“Charges were brought against Tedesco and Grazioso after the Lehigh County District attorney’s
office said human and mechanical error contributed to the July 15 accident….According to Joseph, Grazioso was garage supervisor for the company and was a mechanic with responsibility for maintaining and servicing the buses. Joseph would not go into detail on any evidence uncovered in his investigation, but he said there was mechanical and human error involved in the accident.” (Huntingdon Daily News, PA. “Bus Owner, Aide Free on $7,000 Bail.” 8-15-1970, p. 2.)

Aug 27: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) – A Pennsylvania Transportation Department mechanic testified Wednesday there was an ‘excessive’ amount of wheel play far above legal standards in, the steering mechanism of a bus which crashed July 15th and killed seven children. Clair Fegley, maintenance superintendent at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot) Garage here, said he and two other mechanics found 10 inches of play following the crash which is eight
inches more than allowed by Pennsylvania inspection standards.

“Fegley testified during the third day of a pre-trial hearing for Frank Tedesco…owner of the company which rented the bus; Michael Grazioso…his garage superintendent, and Hubert Daye… driver of the bus….” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “School Bus Wheel Play Excessive.” 8-27-1970, p. 17.)

Aug 28: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) – A state engineer supported a mechanics testimony Thursday that there was 10 inches of wheel play, eight more than legally permissible in the steering mechanism of a bus which crashed and killed seven children July 15. William J. Davis, the engineer in charge of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation accident review section, testified at a hearing for three men charged with involuntary manslaughter in the crash. Davis said a key which links a shaft to a collar in the worm and sector gear box of the steering mechanism was broken off. He said the effect would be to ‘give certain amount free play’ in the steering wheel….” (Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. “Bus Crash is Blames on Steering.” 8-28-1970, p. 2.)

Aug 31: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) – A hearing…was to resume here today. Among those who testified last week was a state trooper who arrived to find most of the victims pinned under the bus….” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Hearing Resumes for Trio Charged in Bus Tragedy.” 8-31-1970, p. 11.)

Sep 2: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — An accident investigator said Tuesday that speed, excessive play in the steering wheel and a dirty windshield contributed to a bus accident which killed seven Long Island, N.Y., children last July 15. William Davis, an accident review engineer for the state Department of Transportation, also said the windshield wipers did not operate efficiently….

“Defense attorneys for the three asked Davis where he obtained his information on the windshield wipers. ‘People in testimony to me,’ he said. ‘The same who indicated a crack in the windshield on the driver’s side.’ He identified one of them as Mrs. Philip Darr, one of the chaperones on the bus, who testified last week.

“The engineer also said that the bus, while negotiating a right curve ran onto the grass medial strip of rain-swept Rte. 22, then veered off to the right and crashed through a guard rail before plunging down a 50-foot embankment. He said other factors contributing to the accident were smooth tires which tended to put the bus into a spin on the wet grass, and ‘the fact the bus didn’t respond’ as it should have because of play in the steering wheel.” (New Castle News, PA. “Accident Hearing Continues.” 9-2-1970, p. 2.)

Sep 3: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) – A pre-trial hearing for three men charged with involuntary manslaughter recessed Wednesday after testimony from a man who said he drove a bus two days before it was in an accident which killed seven Long Island, N.Y. children. Richard Suckow, who is serving a term at the Monmouth County jail in New Jersey, said he operated the bus July 13, taking it from the company garage at Bayonne, N.J., to the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal.

“He said the bus at that time had two smooth left rear tires. Previous testimony revealed that bald tires on the left rear may have contributed to the accident. His testimony was challenged, however, by attorney Richard F. Stevens who told Magistrate Richard J. LeVan: ‘I believe this is the Richard Suckow who has spent a large portion of his life in asylums for the insane.’ Suckow, of Keansburg, N.J., was allowed to continue his testimony. Suckow said he was employed by the Tedesco Bus Co. on two occasions as a driver and mechanic and was fired each time. It was not brought out why he was dismissed. He then went on to relate the condition of the vehicle’s tires when he drove it to the terminal in Manhattan.

“At the state’s request, a 14-page statement by a defendant, Michael Grazioso, 45, South Toms River, N.J., a garage superintendent for Tedesco, was entered. The statement, made for the New Jersey Public Utility Commission after the accident, dealt largely with the condition of the tires. It said tires on all four wheels had grooves before the bus left the garage.

“LeVan then recessed the hearings until Friday when defense witnesses will rebut the Commonwealth testimony….” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Drove Bus Two Days Before Fatal Mishap.” 9-3-1970, p. 23.)

Sep 4: “Allentown, PA. (AP) – A former Tedesco Bus Co. driver says he drove the bus involved in a tragic July 15 accident near here two days before the crash. There was a great deal of play in the steering at that time, he said. Richard Suckow, 28, of Keansburg, N.J., was the 29th prosecution witness Wednesday at a hearing on the accident which took the lives of seven Long Island School children. Suckow claims the bus he took an unauthorized trip to New York City also had two left rear tires which were smooth. Suckow…said he collected fares from his passengers on the New York trip ‘which I kept for myself.’ He said he…was fired the same day by Frank Tedesco, owner of the company….” (Gettysburg Times. “Bus Steering Was Faulty.” 9-4-1970.)

Sep 9: “Allentown, Pa. (AP) – Testimony is expected to conclude in the [17-day] trial [hearing] of three men charged in connection with the deaths of seven children in a bus crash near here July 15. The defense will present its final witnesses today. Prosecution testimony has already concluded….

“The first witness for the defense Tuesday was Joseph Sacco, owner of a Hoboken, N. J., bus company. Sacco told the court Suckow said at his garage July 12 he (Suckow) was ‘going to hang Frank Tedesco if its the last thing I do.’ Sacco further testified Suckow told him during the visit that the Tedesco bus he was driving had bad brakes and excessive play in the steering wheel. The bus referred to was the same one in the accident three days later in which seven Long Island School children died.

“Another defense witness said he took the accident bus on a chartered trip to Montreal July 11, and did not return the vehicle to the Tedesco garage until the early morning hours of July 13. The witness, James Strutton is a driver for Tedesco….

“The defense tried to establish that the mechanical condition of the bus developed after the accident, or during recovery of the vehicle by tow truck crews. Testimony was heard from Lehigh Valley Transit Co. bus driver Alan Kleppinger that workmen at the accident scene placed a crowbar between the steering column and the front corner of the bus in an effort to manipulate the wheels while removing the vehicle from the embankment where it crashed. The defense contended a key in the steering mechanism was damaged at that time.

“PennDot engineer William Davis testified that in his opinion the key broke before the accident. Davis said other parts of the steering mechanism showed signs of wear because the broken key had allowed parts to move and wear.” (Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Testimony to End in Fatal Bus Crash Trial.” 9-9-1970, p. 25.)

Sep 11: “Allentown, Pa. (AP) — A preliminary hearing for three New Jersey men charged with manslaughter in connection with a fatal July 15 bus crash ended here with a prosecution plea that the case be held for court. Lehigh County District Attorney George Joseph said he thought he had established a sufficient case… ‘In rain, with the surface of the road wet, the bus loaded beyond maximum with bald tires, play in the steering wheel, no speedometer and Daye going down-hill at 60 – that’s too fast for conditions,’ Joseph said in his closing argument. ‘These facts certainly make a prima facie case to say the least and the commonwealth asks that the case be returned to court.’

“Defense attorney Richard Stevens summed up his case by telling the court that Joseph had not proved sufficient criminal grounds. ‘The points of law made by Mr. Joseph are applicable to a civil case,’ Stevens said.

“District Magistrate Richard Levan said he expected to hand down a verdict within 48 hours, after he completed a review of the lengthy notes of testimony. Some 26 witnesses were called to the stand during the hearing held in the Lower Macungie Township Building near here.” (The Derrick, Oil City, PA. “Hearing on Fatal Bus Crash Ends.” 9-11-1970, p. 6)

Sep 12: “Allentown, PA. (UPI) — The owner of a bus company, one of his drivers and his garage superintendent were held for the grand jury Friday in connection with a July 15th bus crash which killed seven children. Held on seven counts each of involuntary manslaughter were Frank Tedesco, 52, Bayonne, N. J. ; Michael Grazioso, 45, South Toms River, N.J., the garage superintendent, and Hubert Daye, 44, Montclair, N.J., the bus driver. Bail of $7,000 for each man was continued until the grand jury meets in December. Justice of the Peace Richard J. Levan announced the action after considering nine days of testimony.” (New Castle News, PA. “Tedesco, Others Held Over. Bus Case to Grand Jury.” 9-12-1970, p. 2.)

Nov 3: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) – The second set of public hearings into a bus crash which killed seven Long Island, N.Y., children last July 15 was scheduled to get underway here today. The hearings by the National Transportation Safety Board, followed those held last September….

“Government hearings planned at that time were postponed because evidence needed was used in the county court proceedings..” (Altoona Mirror, PA. “Second Hearing in Fatal Bus Mishap Opens.” 11-3-1970, p. 19.)

Nov 5: “Allentown, Pa. (AP) – A tour director accompanying a group of New York school children on a bus tour of the Pennsylvania Dutch country last July…testified Wednesday that the driver of the bus ‘compared favorably with other drivers’ he had ridden with, but was involved in a minor accident just before the trip began.

“Saul Zeller, a tour director from Brooklyn, N.Y. testified here at a National Transportation Safety Board hearing into the crash on U.S. 22…that the driver, Hubert Daye, 44, had hit a fireplug after picking him up for the trip. Zeller said he thought Daye used poor judgement in driving the bus down a narrow street where he hit the plug puncturing a tire….

“Zeller also said Daye ground the gears of the bus many times during the rip and told him he had never driven a bus of that model before and ‘the transmission was too fast for him.’ He said Daye went into a skid on a sharp curve just prior to the accident, and slowed down after the incident. Zeller said he could not tell the exact speed the bus was traveling at the time of the accident because ‘the speedometer was not in operation at any time during the trip.’

“Fioravanti Bruno, of West Coatsville…a motorist following the bus at the time of the crash, said he was driving about 45 or 50 m.p.h. just prior to the accident, but the bus stayed ahead of him.

“Cletus Stultz, a commercial truck driver who arrived at the scene of the accident shortly after it occurred, said the tractor-trailer rig he was driving ‘fish-tailed like it was on ice’ on U.S. 22 just prior to the bus accident….

“A state Department of Transportation official, Lester Jordan testified Tuesday, the opening day of the hearing, that in the past five years there have been 37 accidents at or near the scene of the tragedy involving the children from the Hillel Country Day School Day School, of Lawrence, N.Y.

“Clare O. Fegley, an automotive supervisor for the state transportation department for 10 years, said he discovered the Woodruff Key in the steering mechanism of the bus was broken. He said he believed it was broken before the crash and would cause possibly as much as 5 inches of play in the steering wheel. He said the motor of the left windshield wiper had a slight malfunction, but that the brakes appeared to be in good working order.” (The Derrick, Oil City, PA. “Tour Director Testifies at Bus Crash Hearing.” 11-5-1970, p. 3.)

Nov 7: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — The National Transportation Safety Board ended a fact-finding hearing Friday after gathering information on a bus crash which killed seven Long Island, N.Y. school children July 15 near here. One of the final witnesses, Gerald O’Donnell, an inspector for the New Jersey Public Utility Commission, said the bus apparently was in another accident about six months before the fatal crash. O’Donnell said he saw ‘moderate’ damage to the front entrance and window of the bus and the headlight area when he visited the Tedesco Bus Co. in Bayonne. N.J., last January or February. He said that as far as he knows, however, there is no record of any prior accident involving the bus, as required by law. O’Donnell also testified he returned to the garage May 12, inspected the bus again and found no major defects, including steering and tires. He said the records show the bus was driven 15,000 miles between May 12 and the date of the fatal accident, July 15.

“The safety board also learned that while there was an average of one accident per month on the stretch of U.S. 22 before the crash, there have been none there since then when improvements were made.” (New Castle News, PA. “Hearing on Bus crash Ends.” 11-7-1970, p. 22.)

Dec 21, AP: Philadelphia (AP), from an Associated Press poll of newspapers and radio stations on their choice of as the top Pennsylvania news stories of 1970 – amongst the top ten was Hillel Country Day School bus wreck west of Allentown: “The vehicle had two bald rear tires, and the crash prompted a nationwide inspection of chartered buses.” (Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Shapp Victory Top 1970 Story in Pa.” 12-21-1970, p. 23.)

Dec 12, UPI: “Allentown, PA. (UPI) — The owner, a driver and. A mechanic for the Tedesco Bus Co., Bayonne, N.J., were indicted Wednesday on seven counts of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of seven children in a bus crash here last July 15. The Lehigh County grand jury returned the indictments against Frank A. Tedesco, 45, Jersey City, N.J.; Hubert Daye, 44, Montclair, N.J., who drove the bus; and Michael Grazioso, 45, Bayonne, superintendent of the Tedesco garage. They are free in $7,000 bail since their arrests shortly after the bus crash involving children from the Hillel Country Day School in Lawrence, N.Y….

“District Attorney George J. Joseph said that because the court calendar is full for January, the three men would probably go on trial in April.” (Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. “3 Indicted in 7-Death Bus Accident.” 12-24-1970, p. 9.)

Jan 12, AP: “Philadelphia (AP) – Three lawsuits seeking a total of $5 million in damages were filed in U.S. District Court by the father of two Long Island, N.Y. girls injured last summer when their chartered bus rolled 75 feet down an embankment after skidding on a rain-slicked highway near Allentown, Pa.” (Gettysburg Times. “Bulletins by the Associated Press.” 1-12-1971, p. 4.)

Jan 13, 1971: “Philadelphia (UPI) reports that Tesco, Grazioso and Daye were sued in the amount of $4 million for “negligence, recklessness, and wanton misconduct. A suite for $1 million accused General Motors Corp., manufacturer of the bus, with breach of warranty.” (Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “Bus Firm Sued for $4 Million.” 1-13-1971, p. 2.)

Jan 13, 1971: “Philadelphia (UPI)…Tedesco…Grazioso…and Daye…charged with man-slaughter. The men pleaded guilty to the charges.” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Ask $10 million For Injuries in Bus Accident.” 1-13-1971, p. 19.)

April 13, 1971: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — Three New Jersey men charged with involuntary manslaughter in a bus crash which killed seven Long Island, N.Y., children last July 15 went on trial here Monday [Apr 12]…. In his opening remarks, Lehigh County District Attorney George Joseph said he would show that the mishap was the result of criminal negligence. He also said the prosecution would show that the bus was not safe prior to the accident and the defendants knew before they picked up the Hillel group that the left rear tires were bald.

“Daye’s attorney, Richard Stevens, said he would show that the cause of the accident was the condition of the highway itself. He said the left rear tires were smooth in part but they met New Jersey safety standards on the day of the accident.” (Altoona Mirror, PA. “Three Charged in Bus Crash Go on Trial.” 4-13-1971, p. 6.)

April 14, UPI: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) – Judge Henry V. Scheirer denied a motion for a mistrial Tuesday at a hearing for three New Jersey men charged in the July 15 bus crash that killed seven Long Island, N.Y., children….A disputed tape, made by a radio newsman in an interview with Daye, sparked the mistrial request. The tape, introduced over the objections of a defense attorney, reported that Daye did not know the children were killed in the crash until seven days later. Henry Narrow, a WKAP newsman, introduced the tape made with Daye at a hospital. Narrow later was charged with violating Federal Communications Commission procedures. The representative of an insurance firm claimed Narrow did not identify himself as a newsman during the interview. Narrow also allegedly did not tell the driver the session was being recorded. The newsman was held over by a justice of the peace for the grand jury. The panel threw out the charges.

“Introduction of the tape touched off arguments between District Attorney George Joseph and defense attorney William Wickkiser. ‘You do not want to bring out the truth,’ Joseph told Wickkiser, attorney for Grazioso. Wickkiser asked Judge Scheirer to grant a mistrial on grounds the remark was prejudicial to the defense. The judge denied the motion….” (Altoona Mirror, PA. “Judge Denies Mistrial Move in Bus Case.” 4-14-1971, p. 31.)

“Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — Two tires were rolled into the courtroom Wednesday at a hearing for three New Jersey men charged in the July 15 bus crash that killed seven Long Island children. State trooper James H. Hughes, prosecuting officer in the case, testified the tires had ‘a trace of trend.’ The prosecution contends the tires were ‘bald’ and unsafe…

“District Attorney George Joseph questioned Hughes about the tires. The state trooper then was cross-examined by defense attorney Richard Stevens. The defense attorney asked Hughes if he had checked the condition of the highway to determine whether the eastbound lanes were higher than the westbound lanes. The bus crashed in the westbound lane of Route 22 during rainy weather. When Hughes told Stevens he had not checked the level of the lanes, the attorney asked if he knew that water flows from the east to the westbound lanes. The attorney apparently was attempting to establish that there was water on the highway at the time of the mishap….

“State trooper Charles P. McKelvey testified during Tuesday’s session that when he questioned Daye in the hospital about the tachograph on the bus, the defendant replied, ‘that thing, it never did work.’ The tachograph, a device on the wheels of a vehicle, measures the speed of the vehicle.” (Altoona Mirror, PA. “Tires Shown as Evidence in Bus Crash Case.” 4-15-1971, p. 24)

April 16, 1971: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — A bus driver expressed concern about road conditions July 15 shortly before the chartered vehicle crashed and killed seven Long Island children, testimony revealed Thursday. Solomon Zeller, Brooklyn, N.Y., who arranged the tour of the Pennsylvania Amish country, testified Hubert Daye, the driver, criticized conditions of the rain-slick highway. ‘This is a very dangerous road. I’m not going to take any chances,’ Zeller testified Daye said….” (New Castle News, PA. “Driver Concerned.” 4-16-1971, p. 2.)

April 17, 1971: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI)….Solomon Zeller…who arranged the tour of the Pennsylvania Amish country….said a right rear tire blew up while the bus was on the way to the Hillel Country Day School, Lawrence, N.Y., to pick up the children. Pressure was equalized in all the rear tires when the flat was fixed, Zeller said.” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Bus Driver Hit Road Condition Before Tragedy.” 4-17-1971, p. 4.)

April 19, 1971: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — Involuntary manslaughter charges against three New Jersey men charged in a bus crash accident that killed seven Long Island school children were dismissed by a judge today. Judge Henry V. Scheirer, acting on a defense motion, dismissed the charges in the trial of Frank Tedesco, 52, Bayonne, N.J., owner of the bus firm, Michael Grazioso, 45, South Toms River, N.J., a mechanic and Hubert Daye, 44, Montclair, N.J., the bus driver.” (New Castle News, PA. “Charges Dropped.” 4-19-1971, p. 1.)

May 6, 1971: “Allentown, Pa. (UPI) — The state Superior Court will be asked to consider the case of three New Jersey men accused in the crash of a bus last July which killed seven Long Island children. Lehigh County District Attorney George J. Joseph said Wednesday he planned to appeal a trial judge’s dismissal of involuntary manslaughter charges….Joseph claimed Judge Scheirer ‘erred’ in holding the Commonwealth had not established the cause of the accident.” (Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Plans to Appeal Ruling in Crash of Bus.” 5-6-1971, p. 40.)

July 2, 1971: “Philadelphia (AP) – The owner and driver of a bus which careened off a rain-slick Pennsylvania road last August [July 15], killing seven Long Island, N.Y. school children, have brought a damage suit against the state of Pennsylvania. The suit entered in U.S. District Court here by Frank Tedesco, the bus owner, and Hubert Daye, the driver, alleges that the state was responsible for the accident…Day and Tedesco…charged that highway employes failed to maintain a safe roadbed on U.S. Route 22, north of Allentown, scene of the mishap. The federal suit against Pennsylvania includes a class action on the part of all but two of the 58 passengers riding in the bus at the time of the mishap…The complaint also includes a claim that Tedesco’s company lost profits from the use of the bus and ‘injury to plaintiff’s business reputation by reason of the adverse publicity and necessity of defending against multiple civil actions…’.” Meanwhile District Attorney Joseph’s appeal ‘is pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.’ (Bridgeport Post, CT. “Bus Men Suing in Death Crash.” 7-2-1971, p. 17.)

Oct 8, 1971: “Newark, N.J. (UPI) – The Jersey City charter bus firm which operated the vehicle involved in a crash in Allentown, Pa., killing seven children last year was fined $3,000 for operating allegedly illegal charter trips, it was learned Thursday. U. S. District Court Judge Lawrence A. Whipple fined the Tedesco Bus Co., following an investigation by the Interstate Commerce Commission which brought the charges against the firm. Tedesco leased the bus in which seven Long Island school children died when it careened off a rain-slicked road July 15, 1970, and plunged down an embankment….As a result of the ICC probe, Tedesco was charged with running charter bus trips from New York to places in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Georgia, Canada and the District of Columbia without ICC authority to operate on an interstate basis.” (Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Jersey City Bus Firm Fined for Illegal Trips.” 10-8-1971, p. 11.)

Nov 2, 1993, NYT: “Frank A. Tedesco, founder and president of Academy Bus Lines, the second-largest privately owned bus transportation company in the country, died on Saturday in Mount Sinai Medical Center. He was 68 and lived in Bayonne, N.J. The cause was cancer, his family said.

“After teaching for 17 years at the Academy of Aeronautics on Long Island, Mr. Tedesco started his bus company in 1969. It operates more than 450 buses that use six terminals in New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“In 1971, after an accident in which one of his buses ran off the road, killing seven Long Island children, involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Tedesco were dismissed in Allentown, Pa.

“Last year, Mr. Tedesco received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Children of the World Program of Deborah Heart and Lung Center of New Jersey, which provides free surgery for children with congenital heart defects….” (NYT. “Obituaries. Frank A. Tedesco, 68, Bus Company Founder.” 11-2-1993.)

Academy Bus: “Academy Bus was officially established in 1968 by Frank A. Tedesco, but the family rooted history of the company dates back to the early 1930’s when Frank’s father Pasquale first purchased bus #39 and operated a route along Broadway in Bayonne, NJ.

“Frank Tedesco (lovingly referred to as Mr. T) brought Academy to it’s prestigious and reputable present day role in the industry through relentless devotion, unlimited energy, and desire to see his dream become a reality. His own history is similarly impressive. His accomplishments include attending evening school while working daily as a driver/mechanic for Boulevard Bus Company, graduating from Montclair State University with a Masters in Mathematics, teaching at the Academy of Aeronautics in Queens, NY (later being appointed to Dean of Evening School), and serving as President of Broadway Bus Owners Association from 1951-1953.

“Today the network of Academy Companies is managed under the watchful guise and daily presence of Frank’s sons Francis and Mark Tedesco. Academy operates more than 600 motor coaches from ten locations stretching from Washington, DC to Boston. Academy has sales teams located in New York, Washington, DC, Providence, New Jersey, Connecticut and Philadelphia. Academy is the largest privately owned motor coach operator in North America, employing well over 1,000 individuals, and living up to the tradition that has established its reputation as the premier provider of quality service as second to none.” (Academy Bus. “About Us. History.” 2011.)

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