Pope John Principal 'Seriously Injured' in Crash

Gloria Shope, the Principal of Pope John XXIII Regional High School, was seriously injured Tuesday night when she was struck by a motor vehicle while crossing Andover Road, Sparta Township Police said. 

According to police, the accident took place at approximately 8:25 p.m. and Cpl. William Moyle said that the 64-year-old Shope was wearing dark clothing and holding an umbrella as she attempting to cross the road from the rectory to the main building at the Pope John Campus, traveling west to east.

Moyle said Shope 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. 

According Moyle, an eyewitness to the accident submitted a statement to police stating, “that at the last second a person ran out into the street going toward the school.” 

Moyle said Shope suffered serious blunt trauma to her shoulder and chest area, and athough these injuries are serious they are not considered life-threatening. 

According to Moyle, Shope was transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital by the Sparta First Aid Squad and Paramedics from St. Clares in Sussex and her condition is unknown at this time.

Moyle said there is no evidence to indicate that the Simko vehicle was being operated at an excessive speed or in a careless manner and there is no indication that alcohol or drugs played a factor in this accident. 

According to Moyle, the victim wearing dark clothing combined with low visibility due to rain, patchy fog and inattention on the part of the victim contributed to the accident. 

No charges for either party have been filed, police said.