Man Killed by NJ Transit Bus Today

A pedestrian was struck and killed today by an NJ Transit bus on Bay Avenue near the intersection of Broad Street in Bloomfield.  Details on the victim’s identity have not been released.

“He was pronounced dead at 10:54 am,” said Kathy Carter, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s office.  “We have to notify next of kin before I can release any identifying information.”

Carter confirmed that the man was struck by the NJ Transit bus at around 10:00 this morning.  She said more information would be forthcoming when officers at the scene released a full report.

“The man was chasing the bus and was trying to board it but he wasn’t able to gain access,” said one Bloomfield man who declined to give his name.  “He fell under the back wheels of the bus.”

He said authorities were "interviewing the driver and the poor individuals who were on the bus,” adding, “He was a young man. It’s pretty scary.”

“The only one who saw what happened was a kid in black pants and a black shirt,” said an employee of the Exxon gas station at the intersection who did not wish to have his name published.  “The kid was screaming.”  He said he saw a woman, who was at the scene and called the police, began to faint.

"A guy had to hold her up so she could stand," he said.

Domenick Rotondo, the manager of the Exxon Station recalled, “I saw one young kid yelling and a lady crying.”  He said he had arrived at work just after the accident occurred.  “The bus was already barricaded.  The first cop pulled up just as I pulled up.”

At around 12:40 pm this afternoon, police and fire department vehicles  blocked off the section of Bay Avenue where the fatality occurred, just near the Broad Street intersection, protecting the victim's body which was covered by a white sheet.  Authorities concealed the sight with a wall of white sheeting as traffic continued to flow north and south on Broad Street.  Yellow police tape surrounded the scene.

A few curious onlookers spoke quietly to one another as they watched.

“The police said they are going to look at our video to see what happened,” said Mayank Ray, whose wife owns the 7-11 store at the intersection of Broad and Bay.  “The store was so busy no one saw what happened.  But when people heard it was a young man, there was a bad reaction.”

He said that the victim had been carrying a bag from 7-11 when he was struck.

This is a developing story.  Please check back soon for more details.