The damage was extensive, but the building was opened the following Monday.
Photo by Alia Ramer
July 24, 2008
An out-of-control garbage truck caused extensive damage when it crashed into a third-floor chemistry lab at Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union in West Orange.
No one was injured in the July 18 accident.
At approximately 8:40 a.m, a Roselle Suburban Disposal Inc. garbage truck, contracted by the town of West Orange, lost control on Underwood Drive, the road opposite and above the SSDS upper school campus.
An unidentified worker at the scene said the driver of the truck lost control of his brakes as the vehicle descended the steep hill of Underwood Drive and told the worker at the rear of the truck to jump off.
According to SSDS director of marketing Donna Oshri, the truck crossed Pleasant Valley Way, continued down the school’s driveway, and crashed into the lab on the third floor. The driver missed hitting a fire hydrant by about three feet.
A person contacted at the disposal company said a manager could not be reached for comment before press time.
A garbage truck crashed into a science lab on the third floor of the building.
Photo courtesy SSDS
No students or staff were in the building at the time of the crash. The school’s administrative offices are closed on Fridays in the summer and it was before the start of activities at Harbor Haven Camp, a day camp for children with special needs, which rents the school building for the season.
“Fortunately, at the time of the accident, no students, administrators, or campers were in the school, and as a result, we are very thankful that no one was injured,” said SSDS board of trustees chair Eleanor Kramer. “Although there is a fair amount of damage to our recently renovated upper school building, our staff, contractors, and professionals are making every effort to see that all necessary repairs are completed in time to avoid any disruption to our students and teachers for the upcoming school year.”
Head of school Joyce Raynor and upper school principal Nancy Leaderman were in Israel when the crash occurred and could not be reached for comment.
SSDS is working with township officials and engineers to fully assess the damage. The building was secured on July 19, and the town inspector approved the building for occupancy by the morning of July 21; Harbor Haven was reopened to campers the same day.
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