NEWARK, N.J. — A New Jersey transit driver was killed and multiple people were injured when two buses collided, forcing one to flip over and apparently be partially split in half at a Newark intersection Friday morning according to WPIX-TV.
A No. 59 bus driver was traveling westbound on Broad Street with no passengers onboard when it T-boned the No. 13 bus going north on Raymond Boulevard with about 20 passengers onboard, according to a NJ Transit spokesperson.
The official initially reversed the directions in which in buses were traveling, officials said.
The driver of the No. 59 bus was killed in the crash and several passengers were hurt, NJ Transit said.
Multiple ambulances and fire engines were at the scene, and an apparent triage center was established at a nearby center median where several people were seen lying on the concrete as they were treated by medical officials.
Two bus drivers who were near the crash stopped their vehicles when they saw it.
They witnessed about 20 people being removed from the wrecked buses.
“It’s devastating,” one driver said. “People just need to respect the road. Take your time, be late. You are where you’re supposed to be at the time you’re there because that’s where God had you.”
The second driver said she believed one of the buses ran a red light. Officials have not commented on the statement.
The buses involved appeared to be Nos. 5612 and 5784. According to NJTransit.com, 5612 was heading from New York City to Orange and 5784 was driving from North Arlington to Newark Penn Station.
An official with the National Transportation Safety Board said the agency is not investigating the crash.
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating, and officials are at the scene.
