School bus driver rescued after crash with tractor-trailer in New Jersey

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. (WABC) -- A school bus hit a tractor-trailer on Route 35 in Middletown.

The bus struck a tractor-trailer around 6:45 a.m. Friday. The tractor-trailer was parked on the side of the road when the bus hit it.

The tractor-trailer driver was inside a 7-11 at the time; he fled and police are looking for him. It is unclear why he ran.

The school bus driver, who was the only person on board at the time of the wreck, was trapped in the bus at New Monmouth Road and had to be extricated. She was taken to the hospital.

According to a statement from Middletown Schools, "the bus accident this morning on Route 35 did not involve any students. The bus was not a Middletown schools run and no students were onboard."

Route 35 was closed in both directors for the investigation for at least five hours.