‘Beloved’ Maple Shade school district employee dies in accident

🚨An employee died inside the district bus garage, according to the superintendent

🚨The identity of the employee or the circumstances of the crash were not disclosed

🚨Maple Shade schools will be closed on Wednesday

UPDATE: Maple Shade identified the victim as Jack Hohwald, 85, of Maple Shade. The driver was identified as Frank Vacanti 77, of Cinnaminson. No charges have been filed. Both are drivers for the Maple Shade School District.

MAPLE SHADE — A school district employee was killed in a crash in a bus garage Tuesday afternoon.

Maple Shade School District Superintendent Beth Norcia in a statement on the district website, said school will be canceled in the district on Wednesday to allow students and staff to grieve the loss of the "beloved" staff member.

The driver of a district bus was standing outside his bus and was fatally struck by another, according to Maple Shade Police Lt. Daniel O'Brien. The driver, also a driver for the district, remained at the scene. No charges have been filed.

The identity of the employee was not disclosed.

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Counselors on hand

Maple Shade Police Chief Christopher Fletcher promised a "thorough and complete investigation."

"Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, Maple Shade School District and C\community, which is devastated by what happened this afternoon," Fletcher said in a statement.

The garage is located on the property of Maple Shade High School on Frederick Avenue.

The Burlington County Crisis Response Team and counselors will be available the rest of the week at schools.

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