Fatal NJ Transit Crash In Hoboken 10 Years Ago Brought Grief, Changes, New Loss

HOBOKEN, NJ — Ten years ago on Tuesday, a speeding NJ Transit train crashed into the end of the line at Hoboken terminal during morning rush hour, causing debris to rain down and kill a young mother on her way to work.

The mother, Fabiola de Kroon, 34, had just dropped her toddler daughter at day care in Hoboken and was about to take the train to New York City.

A federal investigation determined that the engineer's undiagnosed sleep apnea may have paid a part in the crash, and transit experts said that Positive Train Control and other safety measures could have prevented the tragedy.

Ten years later, the crash continues to impact the living.

Families injured in the crash have won $22 million in lawsuits, including de Kroon's family.

NJ Transit has instituted new safety measures meant to prevent future accidents, and engineer Thomas Gallagher still works for the agency.

New tragedy has struck the family who lost a young mother to the crash. After the crash, de Kroon's widowed husband, Daan, had returned to Brazil with his daughter to live near her relatives. But he died four years ago.

Many Impacts

Around 250 passengers and three crew members (the engineer, conductor, and assistant conductor) were on the train around 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the crash, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

A total of 110 passengers and crew were injured, the NTSB said. The damage to the Hoboken Train Terminal, train, and track was estimated at $6 million.

"​​​[The cause] was the failure of New Jersey Transit train 1614’s engineer to stop the train after entering Hoboken Terminal due to the engineer’s fatigue resulting from his undiagnosed severe obstructive sleep apnea," wrote the NTSB, in its report. "Contributing to the accident was New Jersey Transit’s failure to follow its internal obstructive sleep apnea screening guidance and refer at-risk safety-sensitive personnel...

"Further contributing to the accident was the Federal Railroad Administration’s failure to require railroads to medically screen employees in safety-sensitive positions for obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. Also contributing to the accident was the lack of either a device or safety system that could have intervened to stop the train before the collision."

Various safety measures have been implemented in the 10 years since the crash.

Most notably, in December 2020, state officials announced that NJ Transit has met a Dec. 31 deadline to fully install Positive Train Control. The system uses technology to automatically control train speed and movements, reducing the possibility of human error. The president and Congress had approved a mandate for the system in 2008.

Track 5 — where the train left the tracks and headed toward the waiting room — now has a large friction bearing bumper block to replace the one that was damaged.

The Families

On the day of the crash, Fabiola de Kroon's daughter, 1, was at a day care across town. Her husband, Daan, was on a business trip and returned home when he heard the news.

Daan, whose relatives had brewed a specific type of beer for centuries, had moved to Brazil after the crash so his daughter could grow up among his wife's relatives.

But he passed away four years ago.

A friend wrote in October 2022, in a tribute, "Daan de Kroon has passed away. I still can't believe it ... Over the past two years, you unfortunately saw more of the dark side of life than the light. Together with your dear family, your friends and all kinds of helpers, we tried to help you see the light again. Unfortunately, that didn't help. Hopefully, you'll find the light again as soon as you're reunited with your dear Fabiola."

De Kroon's company, Ginbuilders, wrote, "It is with so much pain in our hearts, that we share the horrific news that Daan de Kroon passed away yesterday in Brazil. Daan, one of our founders, was a seasoned alcoholic beverage professional with extensive international experience, deep love for the alcoholic beverage industry, and an even deeper pride for his family’s beer brewing heritage. Daan was also our very dear and close friend for more than 20 years, we will miss him dearly."

In 2017, on social media, De Kroon had thanked friends who helped raise money for a playground for underprivileged children, in memory of his wife. He wrote, "I would like to give a massive thank you to all people who donated and realized heartbreaking smiles on the faces of 223 children today and many more in the years to come. Thank YOU."

Other Changes

The engineer in the crash, Thomas Gallagher, still works for the agency, an NJ Transit spokesperson told Patch on Friday. He only works on non-revenue trains, which are moving trains with no passengers on board, the spokesman said.

"Safety is NJ TRANSIT’s highest priority," the agency told Patch. Besides meeting the PTC deadline, they have instituted these measures:

• A speed restriction was enacted entering Hoboken terminal, and a second member of the crew must be in the front end of the train with the engineer.
• Developed a medical mnitoring coordinator position to oversee the sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes programs. The coordinator is a contact for employees, "ensuring direct oversight, quick response, and efficient monitoring while reducing non-compliance rates."
• Established relationships with three sleep study vendors to ensure quicker service for employees who require sleep studies, reducing time missed from work.
• Continue to review data and recommendations of the Medical Review Board to ensure updated criteria for screening.

READ MORE: Four Years After Tragedy, NJ Transit Meets Train Control Deadline