Jessica Haley was a single mom of three doing her best to care for her children. She died in a New Jersey Transit train accident on October 14 while working as a train operator. A tree reportedly fell on the tracks, causing a crash that killed Haley and injured several others. Her family claims the transit authority knew of the dangers of trees in the area. It appears the authority didn’t protect its employees or passengers.
In court documents obtained by NBC 10, the family’s attorney, Kila Baldwin, announced that they intend to take legal action against the state of New Jersey, NJ Transit, the Southern New Jersey Rail Group, Alstom Transportation, Burlington County’s Board of Commissioners, and the Township of Mansfield. Haley’s family wants justice for the deceased mother and the sons, 13, 8, and 6, that she left behind.
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The accident occurred early in the morning.
According to the Courier Post, the River LINE train hit a tree on the tracks just after 6 a.m. The accident reportedly occurred before sunrise near the Roebling station. The Camden-bound train had 42 passengers on board. The crash killed Haley and injured 23 others. Per the Courier Post, most had minor injuries.
Investigators aren't sure exactly what caused the crash.
It’s unclear whether the tree was already on the track or fell onto the train, causing the accident. An expert told NBC 10 that if an object blocks the track, it typically short circuits and sends a warning to the train. The expert added that wood doesn’t conduct electricity well and likely did not send a warning to Haley about an obstruction.
Haley's family wants accountability.
According to court documents, Rebecca Haley, Jessica Haley’s sister, also worked as a train conductor for Alstom and alleged employees complained about dangerous trees.
“Rebecca Haley reports that 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 train conductors complained for years that something had to be done and even suggested having a track car go down the southbound track where Jessica was killed in advance of any passenger cars traveling that way,” she said in the report, per NBC 10. “At one point, dangerous trees along the railway were marked with X’s, but never taken down. There had been a landslide in that same area recently, and a small retaining wall was put up in one section to prevent debris from falling on the tracks, but many sections of the track, including the one where Jessica was killed, had no protection.”
The New Jersey Transit Authority did not comment.
The transit authority did not make a statement, according to NBC 10, but Alstom released the following comments online:
“Alstom is devastated to confirm that an employee, a train operator for the River LINE light rail in New Jersey, was killed when the light rail struck a tree on the tracks this morning. Our prayers are with their family and our thoughts are with the passengers who were injured during this tragic accident. We are offering all of our employees who work for River LINE additional support during this difficult time.”
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Loved ones said Haley was the 'best mom.'
According to a GoFundMe account, Haley leaves three sons behind. She loved martial arts and trained alongside her boys.
“The accident is an absolute devastation for many, specifically her three boys who were her world. Jessica has been apart of our martial arts community at Tri State Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts for over 16 years,” Jeffrey Jones wrote on the fundraiser. “She has trained herself as well as her three boys, two of which have reached black belt status. Anyone who knew Jessica knew her to always be positive and smiling. She worked hard and loved sharing her love of martial arts with her boys.
“Above all, Jessica was the best mom,” the page continued. “She was often found in our chairs watching her oldest train, with her youngest on her lap. Being Mom was a title she carried with such pride and her whole life was wrapped in those three….”
The account has raised more than $6,000 thus far.
