Maple Shade, NJ — January 28, 2025, Jack Hohwald was killed in a bus accident at about 3:30 p.m. near Frederick Avenue.
Authorities said a Maple Shade School District bus driver was hit by another bus after exiting his vehicle in the district’s bus garage.
Driver Jack Hohwald, 85, died after the crash, according to authorities. He reportedly had been a bus driver for the school district for 23 years.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the bus crash.
No charges have been filed in Jack Hohwald’s death at this time.
The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a crash happens in a bus garage, the key question is: How did a driver end up in harm’s way in what should be a controlled environment? Unlike accidents on the road, where traffic and unpredictable conditions play a role, a bus yard is supposed to have clear rules to prevent incidents like this. That raises serious concerns about what went wrong.
One major issue is whether proper safety protocols were in place and followed. Bus yards should have designated pedestrian walkways, speed restrictions and procedures for drivers moving around on foot. Investigators should look into whether these measures existed and, if they did, whether they were being enforced.
Another key factor is visibility. Buses have large blind spots, especially at low speeds. Did the driver of the moving bus have a clear view of the area? Were there mirrors, cameras or spotters to help prevent a collision? If visibility was a problem, that’s something that needs to be addressed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It’s also worth examining whether distraction or fatigue played a role. Many school bus drivers work long, split shifts, which can lead to fatigue and slower reaction times. Investigators should review whether the driver who struck the victim was alert and following all safety procedures at the time of the crash.
At this point, there’s still a lot we don’t know about how this happened. What is clear, though, is that a bus garage should be one of the safest places for drivers and staff. If this investigation doesn’t go beyond the basic facts to examine safety policies, visibility issues and driver awareness, then authorities risk overlooking key details about what caused this crash.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us