Bucks Co. Mother of 3 Killed In NJ Transit Crash

BUCKS COUNTY, PA —The New Jersey Transit train operator killed in a crash in Burlington County, N.J., on Monday morning was a mother of three from Bucks County.

Jessica Haley of Levittown was killed while operating the New Jersey Transit River Line train on Monday when a large tree that had fallen onto the track was struck by the train, according to Anapol Weiss, the law firm representing her family.

An attorney with the firm, Kila Baldwin, said in a statement that Haley was a 41-year-old single mother of three boys who worked for Alstom, the contractor to NJ Transit, for 20 years.

A southbound River Line train hit a large tree fragment at 6:04 a.m. Monday as it approached Roebling Station in Florence. Haley was killed, and 23 passengers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The remaining 19 passengers were unhurt.

Much of the River Line will remain closed through Tuesday as authorities investigate the crash.

Baldwin said she has served the notice of intent to file a tort claims act on the State of NJ, New Jersey Transit, New Jersey Transit Rail Operations, Southern JJ Rail Group, Alstom, Burlington County Board of Commissioners, and Township of Mansfield," Baldwin said.

Haley also worked as a train conductor on the New Jersey River Line, for Alstom, which contracts with New Jersey Transit.

"It is the duty of all companies who operate trains to ensure the tracks are clear for the safety of everyone on those trains, including the operators of the trains, like Ms. Haley. Ms. Haley was a single mother of three boys and lost her life due to the failure of the responsible parties to inspect these tracks and keep them clear," Baldwin said. "This never should have happened, and we will be investigating the case carefully to hold all responsible parties accountable. The family is understandably devastated and intends to pursue this matter to the fullest extent of the law to prevent anyone from ever suffering the same fate as Jessica."

The trees along this section of the New Jersey River Line were troublesome for years and other trains had hit downed trees in recent years, the law firm alleges. According to information from the firm, the train conductors complained for years that something had to be done.

"We decline comment due to pending litigation," said John Chartier, director of media relations for NJ Transit.

Patch Writer Josh Bakan contributed to this report.