A New Jersey man has been arrested after an 8‑year‑old girl suffered a fractured skull when a rock hit the school bus she was on.
What Happened on the New Jersey Turnpike
Police say 40‑year‑old Hernando Garciamorales is connected to an incident that happened on the afternoon of January 7. A school bus carrying children was travelling north on the New Jersey Turnpike in Teaneck Township, New Jersey when a rock the size of a baseball was thrown at the bus.
The rock went through a window and hit an 8‑year‑old girl in the head. The glass broke, and she was seriously hurt. Her injuries included a fractured skull, and she needed surgery right away.
According to local news (WABC), the bus was heading back to Yeshivat Noam school after a third‑grade field trip to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. Thankfully, no other students or adults were reported injured. Police say the girl is expected to recover, but her injuries were very serious.
Arrest and Charges
Garciamorales was arrested days after the incident. The New Jersey State Police shared the news on their Facebook page. He faces a long list of charges, including:
- Aggravated assault
- Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
- Endangering the welfare of a child
- Criminal mischief
- Resisting arrest by flight
- Hindering
Eyewitness reports and police say Garciamorales was found at a “self‑made campsite” in Bergen County, where the rock‑throwing incident happened.
Police Say There Were Other Incidents
After his arrest, police say they discovered Garciamorales was linked to “multiple rock‑throwing incidents” in the area. Investigators did not share many details about those other cases, but they are looking into them as part of the ongoing investigation.
Where He Is Now
Garciamorales is being held at the Bergen County Jail while he waits for a detention hearing. Police have not yet announced his next court date.
