A fifth-grader who survived a school bus crash that killed a schoolmate and a teacher in New Jersey last month is urging state lawmakers to require seat belts with shoulder straps on buses.
Peter Caminiti provided the first testimony Monday to a joint hearing of the state Assembly and Senate transportation committees. Lawmakers are weighing a number of changes in laws and policy in response to the deadly May 17 crash in Mount Olive.
The 11-year-old Paramus student recounted being suspended by his lap belt and said he suffered a serious head injury. He asked why buses don't have three-point seat belts, saying concerns about costs might be overriding safety.
"You can't put a price on life," Caminiti said.
The New Jersey School Boards Association said districts have limited resources and any new safety measures should be carefully studied. It has not endorsed a proposal to require shoulder straps on buses.
"Sometimes it's difficult to get emotion out of this issue," said Jonathan Pushman, a legislative advocate for the association.
Investigators say the crash was caused by bus driver Hudy Muldrow when he missed a turn then crossed three lanes of traffic on Interstate 80 to attempt an illegal U-turn. The bus collided with a dump truck, and the impact tore the bus apart.
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His lawyer has said there is no evidence he was trying to turn onto the median.
The bus was one of three carrying students and teachers from a middle school in Paramus on a field trip to a historic site about 30 miles away.
