An NJ Transit bus driver has been charged following a serious accident in June that left a police officer from Roseland critically injured. Djimmy Evra, 40, of Orange, faces charges of assault by auto and other related offenses stemming from the incident, which occurred on June 20 at the intersection of Livingston Avenue and Prudential Drive in Roseland.
According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation concluded that the crash was entirely preventable. Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II emphasized the serious implications of reckless driving, noting the potential danger posed to public safety by drivers, whether in personal vehicles or public transport.
On the day of the crash, Evra’s bus reportedly sped through a red light, colliding with a marked police vehicle. The officer involved, 29-year-old Mark Miller from Bloomfield, suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to University Hospital in Newark. Evra and three passengers on the bus were treated for minor injuries.
As Miller continues his recovery process, he has been moved to the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange. The Roseland Police Department has also established a GoFundMe page to assist with his medical expenses, which has garnered over $65,000 in donations as of mid-July.
This incident highlights the ongoing discourse about public safety and the responsibilities of drivers. As the community rallies to support Officer Miller in his recovery, it is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable challenges first responders face daily.