One of the triplets injured in last week’s school bus crash is finally heading home. Natalie Tezsla, 11, was released from the hospital on Wednesday. Her sister, Isabelle Tezsla, was killed when a school bus and dump truck collided in Chesterfield, New Jersey last Thursday. Her other sister Sophie was injured along with 15 other children.
While Natalie is well enough to go home, her sister Sophie remains in critical condition. Cooper University Hospital is also treating Jonathan Zdybel, 11, who remains in critical condition as well. One student remains at Capital Health Regional Medical Center and another at Robert Wood Johnson hospital. Both of those children are in stable condition.
Isabelle, Sophie and Natalie are the daughters of New Jersey State Trooper, Sgt. Anthony Tezsla. Cooper University Hospital released a statement on behalf of the Tezsla family:
There are no words to express the gratitude and appreciation that we have for the kindness and professionalism that our rescue workers, doctors and nurses have shown our girls. In addition, the outpouring of love and support that we have received, in particular from everyone in our community and the surrounding communities, has touched us profoundly. We thank you for your continued prayers for our Isabelle, Sophie and Natalie.
The crash happened at Bordentown-Chesterfield Road (County Road 528) and Old York Road, according to authorities. Police say a dump truck was traveling on Route 528, which has a flashing yellow light at the intersection, while a school bus with students heading to Chesterfield Elementary School was traveling on Old York Road, which has a stop sign and flashing red light at the intersection. Both roads have a speed limit of 45 miles per hour.
Police say the dump truck somehow hit the rear end of the bus on the driver’s side, causing the bus to spin around and slam into a traffic light pole. Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the crash.
The driver of the dump truck had his license suspended for reckless driving back in 2003, according to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. In spite of this, the driver has been in good standing since the reinstatement of his license back in February of 2004. The Commission states that the school bus driver’s driving record is clean.
