2 NJ Transit Buses Collide Killing 1 Driver And Injuring 18 Passengers – 8/19/16

NJ Transit’s No. 59 bus collided with a No. 13 bus at the intersection of Raymond Boulevard and Broad Street at approximately 6:05 AM on August 19, 2016. NJ Transit Police Chief Chris Trucillo said the No. 59 struck the No. 13 bus traveling north on Broad Street.

Trucillo said there were 17 passengers on the No.13 bus. All of the passengers and the driver of the No. 13 bus were transferred to area hospitals. The passengers and driver suffered various injuries but Trucillo believes they will all be okay.

The driver of the No. 59 bus, whose identity hasn’t been disclosed, did not survive the accident. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is tasked with reviewing the scene with hopes of reconstructing what caused the accident.

NJ.com reported Marquel Williamson was one of the passengers on the bus. He described the chaos by phone from the University Hospital in Newark, where he was being treated for head, back, and shoulder injuries.

He said the force of he collision threw him from his seat and people were screaming because of the pain of their injuries.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said at a news conference near the scene, “We’re praying for all of those in the hospital.”

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who represents the district that includes Newark said, “My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by today’s terrible tragedy.”