Death toll rises after NJ Transit buses collide in Newark

NEWARK — A NJ Transit bus was T-boned by another bus Friday morning in the city's busy downtown, killing the driver and a passenger and injuring 17 more.

NJ Transit spokesman Jim Smith said a 59 Line bus with no passengers was traveling west on Raymond Boulevard around 6 a.m. when it struck a Clifton-to-Irvington 13 Line bus headed north on Broad Street. That bus had 20 passengers.

Mayor Ras Baraka said at least seven people are critically injured. Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter said the driver of the 59 Line bus died in the crash; she did not disclose his identity.

Carter later confirmed the death of a female passenger on Friday afternoon but did not identify her.

Investigators are trying to determine if the driver who died ran a red light, Baraka said

Aerial footage showed one of the buses leaning over on its side and appearing to be torn in half. Rescue crews are using ladders to get to those on board the buses and feeding stretchers through the door.

A witness told WABC TV that one of the buses ran a red light at an estimated speed of 60 mph. At a news conference, Baraka said that a preliminary investigation supports the witness but added, "we are not positive about that."

NJ Transit said there will be delays through downtown Newark due to the crash.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.