11 injured in accidents on icy Route 78

Eleven people were injured in 3 separate accidents on Route 78 at the start of Tuesday's morning commute.

New Jersey State Police blamed icy roads for the incidents in Union Township which closed down the eastbound express lanes. One of the accidents involved a commuter bus from Bethlehem, Penn. based Trans-Bridge Lines which runs a full schedule of buses to New Jersey and New York City.

In a statement, the company said 35 adult passengers were on the bus which started its trip in the Bethlehem area and made a stop in Clinton as it headed east on Route 78. Five passengers were hospitalized, according to Trans-Bridge president Thomas G. JeBran.

"Most passengers opted to transfer to another bus and continue their trip to New York while others chose to return to the Lehigh Valley on another bus that was dispatched to the scene," JeBran said.

The identities of the passengers nor the driver were disclosed by the company nor police.

New Jersey Fast Traffic's Bob Williams said that the ramp structure in that area of Route 78 in Summit and Union and sharp curves makes it one of the among the most dangerous to travel during icy weather.

JeBran said his company has started its own investigation into the incident and "is fully cooperating fully with local officials."

State Police said no charges have been filed in the incident.