As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the bustling streets of Newark, New Jersey, Chiara Jones, a vibrant 18-year-old senior at Arts High School, stepped off the bus.
The air hummed with the lingering excitement of the cheerleading competition she had just competed in, her heart still pounding with the thrill of victory. Little did she know, in mere moments, her life would be irrevocably changed.
Chiara’s journey home from the competition, held in Toms River, was supposed to be the final chapter in a day filled with triumph and camaraderie.
But fate had other plans. As she crossed the street under the dim glow of the streetlights, a sudden screech shattered the night. A car, careening out of control, struck her with a force that echoed through the quiet neighborhood.
The driver, later identified as Mia’Jah Burton, allegedly fled the scene, leaving Chiara lying motionless on the pavement.
The impact of the collision reverberated not only through Chiara’s body but also through the hearts of her loved ones.
Days turned into weeks as Chiara lay in the sterile confines of University Hospital, fighting for her life. The vibrant cheerleader, once full of energy and laughter, now lay still, her future uncertain.
But as Chiara fought for survival, her family embarked on a different battle—one for justice. They launched legal action against the Newark Board of Education and others, alleging negligence in the tragic incident.
According to the Lynch Law Firm, who represents Chiara’s family, crucial safety measures were overlooked that fateful evening.
The school bus driver, they claim, failed to activate the red flashing lights or extend the stop arm, leaving Chiara vulnerable to oncoming traffic.
James S. Lynch, an attorney at the firm, painted a vivid picture of the events leading up to the collision.
“A vehicle drove behind the bus, crossed over that double yellow line… Chiara, I assume, wouldn’t think to look left, because traffic should only be coming from the right,” he explained. “She walks out into that lane, and as soon as she gets into that lane, she’s struck by a car.”
Moreover, Lynch alleges that school protocol, including the presence of a chaperone to ensure safe crossing, was not followed.
He points to the chaotic parking of school buses in the area as another contributing factor to the tragedy.
Until Chiara gets justice, her family is grappling with the devastating aftermath of the accident. Their Notice of Claim, filed against multiple entities, seeks to recover $150 million in damages, reflecting the profound impact of Chiara’s injuries on their lives.
“This is an absolutely senseless tragedy of a young woman with such a bright and successful future ahead,” Lynch lamented. “It’s unfathomable that one minute, Chiara was beaming with pride alongside her teammates… to moments later entering the battle for her life.”
