One Killed, More Than 100 Hurt in New Jersey Train Crash in Hoboken

A New Jersey train crash  has left at least one person dead and more than 100 injured.

At the peak of rush hour Thursday morning, New Jersey Transit train no. 1614 on the Pascack Valley line derailed and crashed into the station in Hoboken, NJ. The crash caused massive damage and injured scores of people.  Jersey City Medical Center reports that at least three people are in serious condition. Previous reports said that three people died in the crash, but hospital officials later corrected that number.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration will be investigating.

What We Know About the New Jersey Train Crash

Preliminary investigation suggests that the crash was an accident, caused by operator error, but it is still too early to ascertain a definitive cause.

The train was not equipped with positive train control, a safety technology designed to slow or stop speeding trains. Federal officials have ordered that all U.S. railroads install positive train control by December 31, 2018. Positive train control came into the national spotlight last year when an Amtrak train crashed in Philadelphia, killing eight people. Investigators will be looking into whether PTC could have helped prevent today’s crash.

Latest reports state that one fatality and 108 injuries resulted from the New Jersey train crash. However, PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) service will be operational.

The station itself sustained significant structural damage, and as of yet, commuters do not know when NJ Transit commuter lines will resume service.

If you or someone you know have legal questions regarding a train accident or other mass transit incident, contact our office. We offer free consultations every day, and we will answer any questions that you may have.