Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Mini Bus Carrying Students Involved in Crash

Rona Pereira, 31 of Southampton given tickets for running a red light and for being unlicensed.

An SUV and a mini-bus carrying three children collided on Wednesday afternoon at the traffic light at the entrance to the Francis Gabreski Airport, according to New York State Police.

New York State Police officer Scott Crawford said all three children on the bus were taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center as a precautionary measure. Two bus aids, Christine Gaska, 27, and Annmarie Whalen, 58, were also taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center. Police say they suffered non-life threating injuries.

The driver of the bus, Doris Baroni, 35, of Shirley, was not injured.

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According to Crawford, the bus, which is owned by First Student of Center Moriches, was hit by a 2001 Explorer driven by Rona Pereira, 31 of Southampton.

Police say Pereira ran a red light on Stewart Avenue striking the bus and causing the bus to roll on its side and spin.

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Pereira was given a summons for failing to stop at a red light as well as for being unlicensed. She was not injured in the accident.

Both vechicles were towed from the scene.

The students were all from BOCES. BOCES' public relations department did not immediately return phone calls.


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