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Jessica Haley of Levittown, Pennsylvania, was identified as the person who died in the crash, according to a news release from the Anapol Weiss law firm on Thursday, Oct. 15. The single mother of three boys was 41 years old.
Haley was operating a River LINE train heading north from Trenton at around 6 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 14. The light rail train struck a tree that had fallen on the tracks south of the Roebling station in Mansfield Township.
At least 23 passengers suffered minor or moderate injuries. The remaining 19 passengers continued their trip by bus.
Haley worked for 20 years for Alstom, a company contracted by NJ Transit.
"Our prayers are with their family and our thoughts are with the passengers who were injured during this tragic accident," Alstom said in a Twitter post. "We are offering all of our employees who work for River LINE additional support during this difficult time."
Philadelphia attorney Kila Baldwin said NJ Transit and other entities have failed to ensure tracks are clear, jeopardizing the safety of operators, workers, and passengers.
"This never should have happened, and we will be investigating the case carefully to hold all responsible parties accountable," said Baldwin. "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."
Haley's family planned to sue NJ Transit and Alstom, along with Southern JJ Rail Group, the Burlington County Board of Commissioners, and the Township of Mansfield.
Jessica’s sister Rebecca Haley — also a River LINE conductor — said the section of tracks near the crash scene has been "troublesome" and other trains have recently hit fallen trees, according to the family's lawyers.
"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," Baldwin said. "At one point, dangerous trees along the railway were marked with X’s, but never taken down."
The attorneys also claimed a small retaining wall was put up after a recent landslide, "but many sections of the track, including the one where Jessica was killed, had no protection."
Daily Voice has reached out to NJ Transit to confirm Haley as the victim and to make additional comments. A spokesperson didn't respond as of press time.
Rebecca Haley will be in charge of her sister's estate.
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