On Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. on Pemberton Road in Southampton, a Volkswagen Passat collided head-on with a bus carrying members of the Lenape High School swim team, two coaches and the bus driver, during which time the driver and passenger of the Passat were killed, according to New Jersey State Police.
Police said the crash occurred in the lane where the bus was traveling, and the driver and passenger of the Passat were pronounced dead at the scene.
NJSP later identified the driver of the Passat as Michael Razzano, 49, of Browns Mills, and the passenger as Sean McNaughton, 41, of Medford.
According to police, there were 20 students on the bus, and eight of them along with one adult were taken to Virtua Hospital in Mount Holly with minor injuries.
According to a press release from the Lenape Regional High School District and district superintendent Dr. Carol Birnbohm issued the day after the crash, medical personnel immediately evaluated all students and staff involved in the incident, and the injuries to the Lenape students and staff were not believed to be serious.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank the many students, staff and administrators throughout South Jersey and beyond who have reached out to offer support to our girls swim team, coaches and bus driver,” Birnbohm said. “On behalf of the LRHSD BOE and administration, I would also like to extend our heart-felt condolences to the friends and families of Sean McNaughton and Michael Razzano.”
The release from Birnbohm and the district said the district is “following all protocols in place for students and staff following a traumatic event” such as the crash and the district is fully cooperating with the NJSP, Department of Transportation and the Division of Motor Vehicles.
