Government

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Chaim Feder, 37 of Monsey, has been arraigned on multiple charges following a thorough investigation into a school bus crash in the Village of New Hempstead by the Town of Ramapo Police Department. On December 1, 2022, officers from the Ramapo Police Department responded to North South Gate Road in the Village of New Hempstead for a school bus that crashed into a house.

Upon arrival, officers encountered several children who were on the bus with injuries and extensive damage to the property. The ages of children on the bus ranged from four to ten years old.

Chaim Feder has been charged with the following:

• Three (3) counts of Assault in the Second Degree (D Felony)

• One (1) count of Reckless Endangerment in the first degree (D Felony)

• Twenty-one (21) counts of Endangering the welfare of a child (A misdemeanor)

• One (1) count of Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor)

• Thirty-one (31) traffic infractions

District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said, “Every morning parents across the county and country put their trust in school bus drivers to get their children safely to and from school. As alleged, the actions of the defendant put the children on the bus in grave danger and resulted in serious injuries. I commend the Town of Ramapo Police Department Crash Investigation Unit (CIU) for their weeks-long investigation into the school bus crash.”

Chiam Feder was arraigned by Judge Michael Koplen in the Village of New Hempstead Justice Court on January 24, 2023. The people requested bail to be set at $50,000 and the Judge ruled the defendant to be released on his recognizance. Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Dugandzic, Supervising Assistant District Attorney Stefanie Schera, and Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Martin-Thom are prosecuting the case.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.