It was a quiet weekday morning in North Bergen when tragedy struck. A 66-year-old pedestrian, Alan Harris of Hackensack, was hit by an NJ Transit bus and died from his injuries.
This happened along a busy Hudson County transit corridor. Now, investigators are digging into what went wrong, and the incident has people talking about pedestrian safety again in our region’s crowded streets.
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Fatal NJ Transit Bus Crash in North Bergen
Authorities say the crash happened around 6:30 a.m. near Bergenline Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard East. That intersection’s a familiar spot where commuters, buses, and pedestrians all cross paths during the early rush hour.
The bus involved ran the No. 84 line, which connects Jersey City to North Bergen and carries hundreds every day. At the time, the bus drove its usual route when it struck Harris, who was walking near the intersection.
Details of the Incident
After the crash, emergency crews brought Harris to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, he died from his injuries the next day.
The bus driver stayed at the scene and spoke with law enforcement. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office took over the investigation, trying to piece together what led up to the collision.
So far, officials haven’t shared more about the circumstances. We still don’t know if Harris was in a crosswalk or what the traffic was like right then.
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Ongoing Investigation and Lack of Public Comment
The investigation is still underway. Officials are reviewing witness accounts, surveillance footage from the bus, traffic light data, and the driver’s statements.
They’ll also look at the intersection’s design and how visible things were at that hour. NJ Transit isn’t commenting publicly, citing the ongoing investigation. It’s standard, but it leaves people wondering while prosecutors and safety experts sort things out.
Safety Concerns on a Busy Transit Corridor
Bergenline Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard East make up a high-traffic corridor running through several Hudson County towns. These roads see buses, trucks, commuters heading for the Lincoln Tunnel, and plenty of folks just walking to shops or bus stops.
Crashes in places like this rarely have just one cause. Speed, visibility, road design, lighting, and pedestrian infrastructure all come under the microscope after a tragedy.
Residents and advocates in Hudson County have pushed for:
Broader Implications for Pedestrian Safety
Even though this crash happened in North Bergen, it raises bigger questions. How do we keep people safe on foot in crowded cities where buses, cars, bikes, and walkers all share tight spaces?
Hudson County’s old street grid wasn’t built for today’s traffic. Every serious crash just makes it clearer—we need to update our streets and rethink enforcement.
Often, fatal incidents lead to calls for audits of dangerous corridors and more money for safety efforts like Vision Zero. Local agencies, transit officials, and planners all have to work together if we want people to get around safely, whether they’re commuting or just walking to the store.
Connecting the Incident Back to Jersey City
The No. 84 bus line at the center of this tragedy literally and figuratively links North Bergen and Jersey City. It’s a daily reminder of how closely our communities are woven together.
Plenty of riders on this route are Jersey City locals, commuting between city districts for work or school. North Bergen pedestrians also rely on it, using the bus as a lifeline to jobs and services further south.
For visitors heading into Hudson County, knowing the local traffic quirks matters just as much as finding the right Jersey City hotels or figuring out where to stay in Jersey City. Trip planning isn’t just about booking a room; it really should include learning the bus routes, spotting crosswalks, and figuring out the safest ways to get around on foot.
Maybe you’re searching for the best things to do in Jersey City along the waterfront. Or maybe you’re on a mission to try every neighborhood restaurant in North Bergen. Either way, safe travel ties all these plans together.
If you’re mapping out your visit and looking into getting to Jersey City by bus or rail, keep in mind that these routes aren’t just for you. They’re shared with residents walking to work, kids heading to school, and seniors crossing to the pharmacy. That’s worth remembering.
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Here is the source article for this story: NJ Transit bus strikes, kills pedestrian
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