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

NEWARK, NJ — The parents of a Newark teen who was severely injured by a hit-and-run driver after returning from a cheerleading competition in Toms River have filed a notice of claim against the Newark Public School District and others, their lawyers announced Monday.

Chiara Jones, 18, remains hospitalized in critical condition with a head injury at University Medical Center, surrounded by loved ones who are keeping a bedside vigil for the Arts High School student.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the driver of a Kia Forte hit Jones on the 500-block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the evening of Feb. 4. She was returning from a cheerleading competition at the time.

The driver – later identified as Mia’Jah Burton, 33, of Newark – fled the scene without stopping, prosecutors said. She was arrested on March 1 and charged with several crimes, and remains incarcerated at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. See Related: Arrest Made In Newark Hit-And-Run; Cheerleader Still Critical

Jones’ parents – Tomeika and Stanley Jones of Irvington – are seeking to recover $150 million in damages related to medical bills, life care costs, suffering and “enormous losses to her family,” according to the Lynch Law Firm.

The Jones’ attorneys are making the following allegations in connection with the hit-and-run:

“The notice of claim alleges that around 10:15 p.m. on the day of the tragic hit-and-run, 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 driven by Burton as Burton was passing the bus.”

James Lynch of the Lynch Law Firm said the district’s entire school bus drop-off procedure at this school “invites danger,” pointing to the alleged “failure of the bus driver to engage appropriate safety measures when dropping off students.”

According to legal documents, Jones suffered blunt force trauma that put her into a coma and caused severe brain injury, multiple fractures and loss of teeth.

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, her attorneys said.

An avid reader, the high school senior – affectionately known as “Barbie” and CiCi” to her friends – is known for her positive energy, her love for Chipotle and her fondness for the color pink, Lynch said.

“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,” her attorney said.

In addition to the Newark Public School District, the notice of claim also names Arts High School, the Newark Board of Education, Essex County, the state of New Jersey, Best Choice Transportation, the driver of the bus and Burton as being “responsible parties” in connection with the crash.

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