Police Identify 10-Year-Old Victim Of Bergenfield Bus Crash

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Police have released the identity of the boy killed in a horrific bus crash in Bergenfield Monday afternoon.

The boy was Alvin Maracalho, 10, of Bergenfield, said Capt. Mustafa Rabboh. He was pronounced dead at the hospital within an hour of arriving there following the crash, he said.

"The family is dealing with an unbearable loss and respectfully requests their privacy during these difficult times," Rabboh said.

Bergenfield Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Tully sent a letter home to parents Tuesday about the tragedy. Maracallo was a student at Hoover Elementary School.

"Our entire community is saddened to hear of this tragic loss of life," said Christopher Tully. "We offer our condolences to the Maracallo family. Please keep our community in your thoughts and prayers. Any loss of a child is a loss that gravely impacts us all. I know I can count on all of you to offer unlimited support for this grieving family during this heartbreaking time.

"Nothing we could ever do could ease the pain for this family. Yet, we can give them a daily reminder of how much their child was loved and cherished in this home away from home we call school."

Counselors are being provided to district students and staff "for as long as needed," Tully said.

Maracalho died after he was struck by an NJ Transit bus just before 4 p.m. at West Church Street and Veterans Plaza, Rabboh previously said.

Related: UPDATE: Boy, 10, Dies After Bergenfield Bus Crash: Police

Maracalho was on his bicycle going west on West Church Street when he entered a crosswalk. The bus was going in the same direction on the street, turned left onto Veterans Plaza, and hit Maracalho, Rabboh said.

Bergenfield police officers are investigating the incident, NJ Transit spokesperson Nathan Rudy said. The Bergen County Fatal Accident Unit also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation, Rabboh said.

The bus driver was taken to the hospital for distress and was released, the captain said. She was not issued any summonses or charges pending the outcome of the investigation, Rabboh said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com