Prayer Vigil Held For Neshaminy Student Injured In Boston Bus Crash
By Diana Rocco
PENNDEL, Pa. (CBS) -- A prayer service was held Monday night at Our Lady Of Grace Church in Penndel, Bucks County for a high school student who was seriously injured in a bus crash on Saturday night.
Police sources say 17-year-old Matt Cruz, a sophomore from Neshaminy High School, was partially paralyzed when a bus he was traveling on struck an overpass in Boston, sending 35 people to the hospital (read related story).
"Our principal told us that when he came out of surgery, either last night or this morning, this morning he could move his feet and his toes," says Cruz's friend, Sarah Esher, "so that's a good sign."
Lit candles filled the church, friends and community members came to offer prayers, as Cruz is undergoing yet another surgery at a Boston hospital with his mom at his bedside.
"He's a really positive, upbeat person," says Esher. "(He's) really strong."
66-year-old Samuel Jackson was the driver behind the wheel of the bus carrying dozens of Bucks County High School students and their chaperones on a college tour (read related story). The group was on its way home from a visit to Harvard University when the accident occurred.
Police say Jackson ignored numerous warning signs marked CARS ONLY, NO TRUCKS OR BUSES and CLEARANCE 10-FEET (read related story).
Jackson was not injured, but hadn't returned to his Philadelphia home as of Monday evening.
Jackson's nephew told CBS 3 Eyewitness News that his uncle is a hard worker with no other accidents on his record.
"He's just like a go to work, come home (kind of guy)," says Jackson's nephew. "He's family oriented."
It appears that Jackson may have been distracted by a GPS when the bus struck the overpass.
Jackson's record includes a ticket for running a red light. As Massachusetts State Police continue to investigate the crash, they say it's possible that Jackson could be cited and that other charges could be filed.
