UPDATE (October 24, 2025): Recent reports have been released which state that the woman who was pinned by the buses—now identified as Wanda Montalvo De Garcia—was ultimately unable to overcome the severity of her injuries after she was brought to the hospital, having there been declared deceased. No additional details are currently available. The investigation remains ongoing.
Newark, DE — October 23, 2025, a woman was injured due to a pedestrian versus bus accident shortly before 7:00 a.m. off of Gender Road.
According to authorities, the accident occurred at a middle school located on Gender Road.
Details surrounding the accident remain scarce. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a woman was pinned between two school buses. She reportedly sustained critical injuries over the course of the accident; she was transported to a local medical facility by EMS in order to receive immediate treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When someone gets pinned between two school buses on school property, the most pressing legal question is how did multiple commercial vehicles come close enough for that to happen? That kind of incident doesn’t happen in isolation—it points to a serious breakdown in communication, coordination, or basic spatial awareness among the drivers involved.
At this stage, it’s unclear whether one or both buses were moving, whether the pedestrian was in a designated walkway, or whether she was an employee, parent, or contractor. But regardless of those details, commercial drivers—especially those operating on school grounds—are held to a higher standard of caution. They’re expected to move slowly, scan for pedestrians, and be fully aware of their surroundings at all times.
To get answers, investigators need to review surveillance video, bus dash cams, and driver statements. Those sources will clarify whether either driver failed to yield, backed up without checking, or was simply too close to another vehicle. If the buses were positioned in a tight loop or loading zone, the layout of the staging area itself may also come under scrutiny. Was there enough space for two large vehicles to operate safely at the same time?
Another important angle is the training and policies of the bus company. Were the drivers instructed to avoid close-quarter maneuvers in areas with foot traffic? Was there a spotter on duty, as some school districts require during busy drop-off hours? If neither driver saw the woman before she was pinned, it raises serious questions about how safety protocols were being enforced—or whether they existed at all.
Finally, this crash happened just before 7:00 a.m., likely during morning drop-off. That’s a time when schools are at their busiest, with limited room and increased risk. It’s exactly the kind of environment where even a small lapse in attention can result in severe injury.
Key Takeaways:
- The key issue is how two school buses came close enough to pin a pedestrian between them.
- Surveillance footage and dash cams will be essential in determining movement, visibility, and fault.
- School layout and staging procedures should be reviewed for possible design or coordination failures.
- The bus company’s training, policies, and supervision practices may have contributed to the risk.
- A full investigation should determine whether this was a one-time lapse or a preventable result of systemic issues.
