Lakewood police dept.
Lakewood Police Dept.

Lakewood Bus Driver Hit With 47 Charges of Child Endangerment for Reckless School Trip on Garden State Parkway

Posted by
1 min read
May 28, 2025

LAKEWOOD, N.J. — A Philadelphia man is facing dozens of charges after allegedly operating a commercial bus recklessly on the Garden State Parkway while transporting 47 juveniles, police said.

Xiao Lei Lei Tian, 41, was arrested and charged with 47 counts of child endangerment and multiple motor vehicle violations following the incident, according to Lakewood Police Department Captain Gregory Staffordsmith. The bus was traveling from Rhode Island to a private school located on River Avenue in Lakewood.

https:// /LakewoodScoop/status/1927749159110472084

Witnesses told authorities that Tian drove at excessive speeds, swerved between lanes, used his cell phone while driving, and even stood up in the aisle of the moving vehicle, leaving the steering wheel unattended. The bus ultimately came to a stop near Cedar Bridge Avenue and New Hampshire Avenue after it reportedly ran out of gas.

An officer who discovered the disabled vehicle was informed by the passengers of the events that had unfolded during the trip. The group included 47 minors and three adults. No injuries were reported, according to police.

“Xiao Lei Lei Tian, 41, of Philadelphia, PA, was arrested and charged with 47 counts of child endangerment and multiple motor vehicle violations,” Staffordsmith stated.

Investigation ongoing, no injuries reported

The private school to which the group was traveling has not been publicly identified. Authorities have not released the name of the bus company Tian was driving for at the time of the incident.

Lakewood police have requested that anyone with further information related to the case contact Detective Eric Stefanelli #364 at 732-363-0200 ext. 5340.

As of Tuesday, Tian remained in custody pending further legal proceedings.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss