The Alternative Press

Gloria Shope the Principal of Pope John XXIII Regional High School, was seriously injured early last night when she was struck by a motor vehicle while crossing Andover Road.  At 8:25 pm, Sparta Police were dispatched to the area after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting the accident.

Subsequent investigation conducted by Cpl. William Moyle revealed the following; the 64-year-old Shope who was wearing dark clothing and holding an umbrella was attempting to cross the road from the rectory to the main building at the Pope John Campus, traveling west to east, when she was struck in the crosswalk of the northbound lane by a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am being operated by 18-year-old Stanhope resident, Seth M. Simko.  An eyewitness to the accident submitted a statement to police stating, “that at the last second a person ran out into the street going towards the school.” 

According to Simko he did not see Shope until it was too late, and she was subsequently struck by the Simko vehicle.  Shope suffered serious blunt trauma to her shoulder and chest area. Although these injuries are serious they are not considered life-threatening.  She was transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital by the Sparta First Aid Squad and Paramedics from St. Clares in Sussex.  Her condition is unknown at this time.