New Findings After NJ Transit Conductor Killed In Burlington Co. Train Crash: Feds

FLORENCE, NJ — Fallen trees created River Line hazards and caused several crashes in the months before a collision that killed a train operator last year, according to a new report from federal investigators.

A thick tree branch fell on a River Line train in October 2024 as the light rail traveled through Burlington County. It penetrated the front windshield and struck operator Jessica Haley, who was later pronounced dead, authorities said. Twenty-three passengers were injured.

Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its final investigative report on the accident.

Haley, 41, worked for Alstom — the company that NJ Transit has long-contracted to operate the River Line. On the morning of Oct. 14, 2024, she was operating a southbound River Line train.

Just before 6 a.m., the above-ground train struck a tree that had fallen across the tracks as it traveled southbound toward Florence station.

Haley activated the emergency breaks ahead of the crash. But the predawn darkness prevented her from seeing the tree soon enough to avoid it, the NTSB said.

Her actions were correct and did not contribute to the crash, the federal agency said.

Last year, an attorney representing Haley's family said they were considering a lawsuit. Attorney Kila Baldwin claimed that train conductors had been complaining for years about downed trees along that part of the River Line.

"This never should have happened, and we will be investigating the case carefully to hold all responsible parties accountable," Baldwin said after the crash.

The NTSB report details findings about the issue of fallen trees along the River Line, along with actions that have been taken to prevent a repeat of the fatal collision.

Alstom's records from the prior 18 months showed four River Line collisions involving downed trees. None of them caused injuries, but two accidents cracked the windshields, the NTSB said.

"These collisions were minor but indicated the presence of a risk that, on October 14, 2024, led to a fatal collision," the report says. "The accident underscores the importance of incorporating all measurable hazards into safety system programs."

Routine inspections along the River Line take place twice weekly, which also includes identifying fallen trees and trees obstructing traffic signals, the report says. Seasonal surveys would conducted every spring and fall.

Hazardous trees were marked with paint and logged in Alstom's records, the company's maintenance-of-way superintendent told investigators.

"He mentioned 'leaning trees' as an example of trees that would need to be removed," the report says, "but he did not described fixed criteria for determining which trees were hazardous or training that would aid employees in identifying hazardous trees when conducting seasonal walking surveys."

The tree involved in the fatal crash was growing about 40 feet away from the tracks on private property and stretched 11 feet past NJ Transit's property line, the NTSB said. Its trunk was 3 feet in diameter.

The chestnut oak had no external signs of decay, but an arborist detected internal decay in the trunk and roots after the crash.

But it's unclear why the tree fell, the NTSB said, noting that weather conditions were calm the night before.

The last seasonal survey before the crash was in the prior spring. While it resulted in brush removal and tree trimming, no trees were removed, the NTSB said.

NJ Transit and Alstom enacted a post-crash corrective action plan, which temporarily reduced the River Line speed limit in the area. An arborist also conducted a more-comprehensive assessment, which led to 111 trees getting removed.

Alstom lifted the speed restriction in late February, when the trees were gone.

The state also added a new risk item to the federally mandated quarterly inspections: "trees along the right of way," which includes overgrowth, compromised root systems, fallen trees and cuttings left along the track area.

An NJ Transit spokesperson declined to comment on the report due to litigation.

A spokesperson for Alstom told Patch the following:

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jessica’s family. This incident has deeply affected our entire team and we honor her memory. We appreciate the thorough investigation conducted by the NTSB. Alstom is committed to a culture of safety, and we will continue to evaluate and enhance our safety programs to safeguard our employees and the public."

Frustrations over the River Line have mounted in recent years, with commuters complaining of delays and cancelations.

In September, NJ Transit announced it will take full control of the River Line and Alstom would no longer operate it. The change is expected to go into effect early in early 2026.

"This mutually agreed decision reflects the evolving investment needs of the service, which have grown beyond the current scope of Alstom’s contract covering River LINE operations and maintenance," NJ Transit and Alstom said in a joint statement. "This transition will enable NJ TRANSIT to be best positioned to shape and implement the next steps that will strengthen and enhance the future of the service."

Here's the NTSB's full report on the deadly crash.