More Details, IDs Released After 2 Die In NJ Transit Bus Collision; 17 Others Injured

NEWARK, NJ — Two NJ Transit buses collided in a "T-bone" crash Friday in New Jersey, killing two people and injuring 17 others.

Shortly after 6 a.m. Friday, a NJ Transit bus - the 59 line to Westfield - collided with the 13 bus that was traveling from Irvington to Belleville, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard in Newark involving the 59 bus, which was traveling without any passengers. The 13 bus had 17 passengers on board along with the driver, according to the ECPO.

The bus driver on the 59 bus was killed, and was identified as Joseph Barthelus, 70, of Union. A veteran driver, he had been a NJ Transit bus operator for 27 years, according to the ECPO.

A woman who was a passenger on the bus died at University Hospital. The victim has been identified as Jesy Garcia, age 49 of Newark. Garcia had been transported to University Hospital after the crash and she was pronounced dead several hours later, according to the ECPO.

This incident remains under investigation by detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor's Crash and Fire Investigation , according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly. Anyone with information is asked to call the Prosecutor's Tips Line at (877) 847-7432.

One other person remained hospitalized Saturday in critical condition and five more were in serious condition. News12 said NJ Transit identified the other bus driver as James Roberts, and the agency says both men were longtime drivers in good standing.

Several passengers had to be extricated from the number 13 bus which sustained the most serious damage.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The No. 59 bus was traveling west on Raymond Boulevard in Newark when it struck a No. 13 bus traveling north on Broad Street, causing a “T-bone crash,” authorities said.

The No. 13 bus had 17 passengers aboard at the time of the crash, NJ Transit Police Chief Chris Trucillo stated.

The No. 59 bus didn’t have any passengers aboard at the time of the crash, NJ Transit officials stated.

Prosecutors are investigating the possibility that one of the drivers may have run a red light, reports say.

Chopper 4, News12 and WABC-TV footage shows one bus smashed into the other in Newark, crumpling the bus "like an accordion" and spewing glass and debris on the ground around, according to the reports.

Bystanders allegedly on the scene reported a heavy police and fire presence in online comments about the crash.

"I was down there right down the street police, ambulances and firetrucks were everywhere," one woman wrote.

"I was on Academy Street and I've never seen so many police and EMS for an accident," another person wrote.

Following the crash, Newark city officials closed sections of Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard and advised local motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area "at all cost."

“People who utilize buses that travel along these routes should anticipate a disruption in service until the streets are reopened,” police said. “The estimated time of completion is unknown at this time.”

• See related article: Newark Closes Streets After NJ Transit Bus Crash: Broad and Raymond

“My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by today’s terrible tragedy," U.S. Congressman Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10) said Friday afternoon. "I want to thank the first responders who swiftly came to the aid of passengers. Newarkers are strong and resilient, and we stand together with the families and entire Newark community as they begin to recover from this horrible incident.”

Patch will update this article if more information becomes available.

- By Tom Davis, with additional reporting by Eric Kiefer

Photo courtesy of News4 New York