“It’s unfathomable that one minute, Chiara was beaming with pride alongside her teammates after winning a big cheerleading competition, to moments later entering the battle for her life.” -James Lynch of Lynch Law Firm
By: Richard L. Smith
The family of a cheerleader struck by a vehicle in front of a Central Ward High School in Newark, along with their attorneys, are seeking justice for what they describe as a negligent incident.
In a challenging incident that has rocked the Central Ward community of Newark, New Jersey, Ms. Chiara Jones, an 18-year-old student, cheerleader, and simply a wonderful young lady who attended Arts High School, has been left in critical condition following a hit-and-run accident.
RLS Media learned this afternoon that the situation, which occurred on February 4, 2024, has led the Lynch Law Firm, alongside Jones' parents, Tomeika and Stanley Jones, to file a Notice of Claim against the Newark Board of Education, among others, citing negligence.
The law firm confirmed with our information center that the unfortunate event unfolded when Jones was hit by a sedan while crossing the 500-block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard after returning from a cheerleading competition in Toms River.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as 33-year-old Ms. Mia'Jah Burton of Newark, allegedly fled the scene, only to be arrested nearly a month later, on March 1.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office told RLS Media that Burton now faces serious charges, including leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injuries and assault by auto.
Jones is currently battling for her life with a severe head injury at University Hospital Medical Center, where her family and friends keep a constant vigil.
While school administration has alluded to a possible recovery, Essex County Prosecutor Stephens said in an earlier statement that Jones is in critical condition.
The Lynch Law Firm, known for handling catastrophic injury cases, represents the Jones family, pointing out the negligence that led to this tragedy.
According to the law firm, the school bus driver actually failed to activate the necessary safety signals, like the red flashing lights and stop arm, which should warn drivers to stop, thus allowing Burton to strike Jones as she crossed.
While on the scene in the late-night aftermath, our reporters observed the yellow bus positioned in the middle of the street, more than 10 feet away from the curb.
This incident has spotlighted the broader safety issues at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, where other pedestrian accidents, including one involving a former school aide, have previously occurred.
Despite years of complaints from school staff and parents about the dangers of this intersection, adequate safety measures like assigning a crossing guard or police officer for traffic control were notably absent until after Jones' injury.
RLS Media, having initially reported the incident, has revealed through public records that the nearby crosswalk had seen several accidents involving pedestrians, especially before and after school hours.
The school and district's response to place a police officer at the intersection came too late for Jones, underlining a history of negligence regarding community safety concerns.
It is not clear if a crossing guard would have prevented Jones' unfortunate incident.
James Lynch of Lynch Law Firm expressed his dismay at the event and described it as a "senseless tragedy" that could have been avoided. He lamented the abrupt shift from celebration to crisis for Chiara Jones and her family, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for the avoidable mishap that has left a promising young woman's future hanging in the balance.
"This is an absolutely senseless tragedy of a young woman with such a bright and successful future ahead," said James Lynch of Lynch Law Firm, who also served as the immediate past President of the New Jersey Association for Justice.
The civil action seeks compensation for Jones' medical expenses, life care costs, and the emotional and financial toll on her family, promising a staunch fight for justice in the face of this devastating event.