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The family of Chiara Jones, the 18-year-old Newark cheerleader who was critically injured after she was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle outside her high school while coming home from a competition, announced on Monday, March 25, they have filed a notice of claim against the school district.
Chiara Jones was struck by a vehicle outside Arts High School while getting off the bus returning from a cheerleading competition at 10:15 p.m., on Sunday, Feb. 4., Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said at the time.
Mia'Jah Burton, who was driving a Kia Forte, did not stop and fled from the scene, Stephens said. Burton was arrested earlier this month and charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in a serious bodily injury, endangering and injuring a victim, assault by auto, hindering and false report to law enforcement, Stephens said.
After Jones got off the bus, the bus driver failed to turn on the red flashing lights and extend the stop-arm, according to the Lynch Law Firm, hired by the family to pursue the claim.
“The entire school bus drop-off procedure at this school invites danger, let alone the failure of the bus driver to engage appropriate safety measures when dropping off students," James Lynch of the Lynch Law Firm said. "This tragedy was certainly avoidable, and we vow to hold those involved fully responsible for this horrific event."
The civil filing seeks to recover damages related to medical bills, life care costs, suffering and enormous losses to her family, Lynch said.
Nancy Deering, a spokeswoman for the district, said they do not comment on pending legal matters.
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