By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark community is mourning the loss of Ms. Laura Cuevas, an art teacher at East Ward Elementary School (the old Oliver Street School), who passed away today (Saturday) after being taken off life support.
Ms. Cuevas was severely injured last week when an out-of-control vehicle struck her and another teacher in front of Arts High School, located on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:39 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23, during what should have been a routine day.
According to Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé, emergency responders were called to the scene following a two-car collision, which resulted in one of the vehicles crashing into a wall at the school and hitting two pedestrians—both educators from East Ward Elementary.
Both women were rushed to University Hospital in critical condition.
Tragically, Ms. Cuevas, who was the more severely injured of the two, succumbed to her injuries despite the efforts of medical professionals.
The second teacher and the drivers involved in the accident are reportedly in stable condition.
Ms. Cuevas and her colleague had been en route to Arts High School to attend a professional development session, as students were not in the building that day.
Reports indicate they were returning to their car to return art supplies when the vehicle struck them.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is leading the investigation into the circumstances of the crash, which has left the Newark public school community in shock and grief.