NEWBURGH – The Newburgh Town police officer who struck two school buses while driving a police car on North Plank Road last Thursday, November 12, may have been involved in another motor vehicle incident just before that one.

Police Chief John Mahoney confirmed to MidHudsonNews.com that Officer Thomas Canavan’s patrol car may have been involved in a very minor incident with another vehicle moments before the bus crash. That accident sent Canavan to the hospital where he remains after having surgery.

State Police investigators are in the lead in the investigation of the incident. Among the potential evidence are two data boxes from the police car.

Police are also looking into an accident Canavan had with his personal car in September when he struck a light pole in front of Newburgh Town Hall.