A Megabus traveling down the New Jersey Turnpike towards Pennsylvania on Thursday, August 11, crashed after the driver lost control. The bus, containing the driver and twenty-two passengers, was traveling in the leftmost lane of the Turnpike and was near mile marker 93.2 when the driver lost control and struck a Ford F-150 that was driving in the center-left lane. After the impact, the bus veered off the road, hit a guardrail, and overturned onto the Thomas Edison Service Area entrance ramp.
A passenger reported that immediately after the crash, there was an air of general confusion and the passengers all felt dazed. While four passengers were unharmed, fourteen sustained non-life-threatening injuries and two others sustained serious injuries. In addition, 59-year-old Cheryl Johnson of Bronx, New Jersey, was pronounced dead at the scene, and 66-year-old Cecilia Kiyanitza of Woodbury, New Jersey, was moved to a hospital after the crash but later died from her injuries. Authorities report that the driver of the bus was also seriously injured.
The driver of the Ford did not sustain any injuries.
Similar Occurrences
According to the New Jersey State Police’s 2020 Fatal Motor Vehicle Report, there were 25 fatal crashes on the New Jersey Turnpike, which comprises 38.5% of all interstate highway fatalities in New Jersey in 2020. The New Jersey Turnpike also had the most fatalities of any other interstate highway in New Jersey, with the nine other interstate highways in the state having an average of only 4.4 fatalities in 2020, according to the same report.
Contact an Attorney Today
The New Jersey State Police are continuing to investigate this bus crash, and it is unknown at this time if any charges will be filed as a result of this incident.
If you or a loved one experience a vehicle crash, it is important to consider reaching out to a knowledgeable lawyer. In most cases, lawyers are able to navigate the complex intricacies of law better than non-lawyers, so it might be beneficial for you to contact knowledgeable legal counsel if you or a loved one experience a personal injury.
Visit our website to learn more about our experience handling multiple bus crashes for victims all over the country, and call today to hear how an experienced attorney at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers could help you receive the compensation that you deserve.
