Police: Blackwood Man Charged with DWI in School Bus-Involved Accident

A Blackwood man has been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in connection with a school bus-involved accident at Little Gloucester and Erial roads late Friday morning, according to police.

Five Blackwood Elementary School students were taken to an area hospital for evaluation as a precaution after the two-vehicle crash, police said.

All five students had been released to their parents within about two hours of the accident, according to Gloucester Township Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Seddon. They were evaluated at Kennedy University Hospital-Washington Township after complaining of headaches and general pain.

Anthony Ross Jr., 29, of the 400 block of the Black Horse Pike, was driving under the influence of drugs when he drove a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder SUV into the rear of the Gloucester Township Public Schools' bus in front of Charles W. Lewis Middle School at around 11:35 a.m., according to police. The bus was stopped for a red light.

Police recovered marijuana and a prescription legend pill from Ross' SUV, Gloucester Township Police Lt. Jason Gittens said.

In addition to DWI, Ross was charged with third-degree aggravated assault by auto, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and a single count of using and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. He was also served an outstanding warrant.

Ross remained at Cooper University Hospital, in Camden, for evaluation as of about 5:30 p.m. Friday. Bail on the charges stemming from the crash was set at $5,000, Gittens said. The warrant called for $500 bail.

The bus was able to be driven from the scene.

Police did not identify the bus driver or any of the students who were riding the bus at the time of the crash.