School bus driver hit while going for coffee

VERNON-At 5:45 a.m. on Monday, the Vernon Police Department received a 9-1-1 call that a pedestrian was struck by an auto on Vernon Crossing Road near the railroad tracks. Responding police officers arrived to find the pedestrian lying near the railroad tracks. The pedestrian was identified as Robert Stevens, 69, of Sussex. A school bus driver, Stevens had pulled over to the side of the road to go to a deli across the road, according to police. Charles Tepper of Butler saw Stevens crossing and swerved left in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid hitting the pedestrian, police said. Stevens suffered severe injuries to his leg and head and was transported to Morristown Hospital. Vernon Ptl. Kenneth Kuzicki and the Sussex County Crash Team were investigating the accident.