Crash Left Newark Cheerleader With Grim Injuries, Family Sues School

NEWARK, NJ — Who is responsible for the crash that left an 18-year-old Newark high school student “catastrophically injured” after she returned from a cheerleading competition earlier this year? This is the question that the family of Chiara Jones hopes to answer when they take the school district and others to court, their attorneys say.

On Monday, Lynch Law Firm and Jones’ parents announced that they have filed a civil lawsuit in connection with the hit-and-run crash that put their daughter into a coma and caused severe brain injury, multiple fractures and loss of teeth.

Here’s what allegedly happened on Feb. 4, Jones’ attorneys claim:

“Around 10:15 p.m. on the day of the tragic hit-and-run, [Chiara] Jones was returning to her school campus along the 500-block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard following a cheerleading competition in Toms River. Upon exiting the school bus, Jones attempted to cross the street. However, the school bus driver failed to turn on the red flashing lights and extend the stop arm – indications that approaching motorists must come to a complete stop – and she was struck by a sedan.”

The driver of the car – Mia’Jah Burton, 33, of Newark – fled the scene. Burton was arrested after a police investigation used surveillance video footage to identify her as the person behind the wheel, authorities previously said. See Related: Arrest Made In Newark Hit-And-Run; Cheerleader Still In Critical Condition

Prior to the accident, Jones had received several college acceptances and was looking forward to starting her freshman year at Clark Atlantic University as a journalism and business management major.

But now, nobody is sure what the future holds.

“While Ms. Jones is no longer in a coma, she remains confined to her wheelchair or bed and requires full-time assistance in performing simple daily tasks like dressing and eating while she continues to undergo extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation,” her attorneys said.

On March 21, Jones’ parents and their attorneys filed a notice of claim against the Newark Board of Education, in addition to Arts High School, the Newark Public School District, the County of Essex, the State of New Jersey, the bus company (Best Choice Transportation of West Orange), the bus driver who was on duty and Burton.

After failing to reach a “satisfactory” settlement – they were asking for $150 million – the Jones’ attorneys served a demand for a trial by jury on Oct. 7. The civil filing seeks to recover damages related to medical bills, life care costs, suffering and losses to her family (read the full document below, or view it online here).

“There are many who bear responsibility in this absolutely heart-wrenching tragedy,” alleged James Lynch of the Lynch Law Firm.

“The two drivers were reckless in operating their vehicles and, moreover, Arts High School and the Newark Board of Education were grossly negligent by failing to properly enforce and supervise essential safety procedures with bus disembarkation,” Lynch said.

“This is an absolutely senseless tragedy of a young woman with such a bright and successful future ahead,” Lynch added. “It’s unfathomable that one minute, Chiara was beaming with pride alongside her teammates after winning a big cheerleading competition, to moments later entering the battle for her life.”

• See Related: NJ Cheerleader’s Parents Seek $150M After Hit-And-Run In Newark

Patch reached out to the Newark Public School District for comment on the suit, which declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. We also reached out to Best Choice Transportation seeking comment on the lawsuit, and will update this article with any reply we receive.

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