Man Sues NJ Transit, Bergen County Town After Wife Killed By Train

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The widower of a woman who was struck and killed by an NJ Transit train last August is suing the transit agency, as well as the town of Hackensack and other agencies.

Pedro Antonio Lopez said the crossing near Hackensack Station is dangerous, and is suing the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey besides local agencies.

His wife, Luz E. Lopez, 79, of Hackensack was struck and killed on Aug. 7.

A NJ Transit spokesperson told Patch at the time that she was walking near Sussex Street and Railroad Avenue just before 10 a.m. when she was struck.

The Pascack Valley Line Train 1651 had departed Hoboken at 9:34 a.m. and was near Essex Street Station in Hackensack. It was scheduled to arrive in River Edge minutes later, at 10:01 a.m.

Records indicate that Lopez lived approximately eight blocks from the station.

In his suit, filed on May 26, Lopez does not detail the events of the day his wife died, but says the crossing was in a "state of disrepair."

He says the agencies in question "were negligent in failing to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition. Defendants knew or should have known of the dangerous condition and failed to remedy it and/or warn patrons. As a direct and proximate result of the fail, Plaintiff’s Decedent sustained severe injuries, resulting in her violent death."

In the wrongful death suit, Lopez is asking for a jury trial.

A NJ Transit spokesman said the agency would not comment on the pending litigation.

Rich Malagerie, an attorney for the city of Hackensack, passed along a statement from the town saying, "The safety of everyone within our city limits is our utmost priority. While the city does not have jurisdiction over railways and train crossings, the mayor and council have consistently advocated—both publicly and privately—for renewed infrastructure safety initiatives at the rail crossings located within the city.

"The city of Hackensack extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Luz Lopez, and to everyone impacted by the tragic incident that occurred on Aug. 7, 2025," he added.

Prior Reporting: NJ Transit Identifies Woman Killed By Train