By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
LAWRENCE — A Rider University senior was killed early Saturday morning when the car he was driving was struck by a school bus on Route 206, near the south entrance to the campus, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Eliseo Diaz, 22, of Union City, was pronounced dead at the scene following the 2:15 a.m. accident, said Casey DeBlasio, a spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. The driver of the school bus, whose name is being withheld, was not injured. There were no passengers in either vehicle.
The school bus, which is owned by First Student, was leaving the campus after having dropped off students who were returning from an off-campus event, said Rider University spokeswoman Kristine Brown.
According to witnesses and surveillance tapes, Mr. Diaz was driving south on Route 206 at a high rate of speed, Ms. DeBlasio said. The headlights on his Honda Accord were not turned on. As the school bus was leaving the driveway, it “impacted” the Honda, she said.
There is no indication at this time that the school bus driver was driving under the influence, she said. Toxicology tests, which are pending, will reveal if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident.
No traffic summonses have been issued, Ms. DeBlasio said. The accident is under investigation by Detective Tony Abarno of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office’s serious collision response team, and Lawrence Township Police Detective Todd Caruso.
Mr. Diaz was slated to graduate from Rider University later this month.
In a statement released by Rider University President Mordechai Rozanski, the college extends its “sincerest condolences to (Mr. Diaz’s) family and friends. Please join me in keeping Eliseo’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.”
Counselors will be available to help those who need their services at the Zoerner House counseling center on campus, through the university chaplains and the Dean of Students’ Office.
