It happened right outside Arts High School on MLK Boulevard just after 10:30 a.m. where dozens of teachers were taking part in a professional development seminar.
Witnesses say a gray van blew through a stop sign at Mercer Street and hit a White Hyundai on MLK Boulevard, jumped the curb onto the sidewalk, hit a pedestrian and then slammed into another woman who was sitting on a ledge.
Public school students were off on Wednesday as it was a staff development day. Only a handful were inside working on an extra credit project.
Authorities say the two women who were struck are both art teachers at East Ward Elementary.
One woman remains in critical condition while the other remains in the OR.
The drivers of the cars were also both taken to the hospital but are expected to survive.
Newark police and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office are investigating the crash.
Just last year in the same location, an Arts High School cheerleader suffered catastrophic injuries when she was hit by a car that drove around the school bus she had just departed.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More New Jersey news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube