Confusing Report Published Before NJ Transit Lawsuit Commences

As NJ Transit prepares for a major lawsuit filed by the family of one of its deceased workers, it has published a somewhat confusing report. This report focuses on the causes of the accident that killed the aforementioned worker, and it provides insights into some of the most dangerous hazards that NJ Transit faces: Trees. But while the report certainly mentions the threat of trees, it also seems to shift blame onto low-light visibility instead of accepting its own responsibility for tree removal. If you lost a loved one in an accident like this, you might want to speak with an NJ Transit accident lawyer for further guidance.

NJ Transit Report Points to “Low-Light Conditions” as Cause of Deadly Accident

On December 15, 2025, multiple sources reported on an accident report published by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The report focused on a light rail collision that had occurred in October of 2024 in New Jersey. The crash claimed the life of a train operator and generated considerable media attention across the nation.

The operator died because a tree branch came through the train’s windshield and caused fatal injuries. But how could a tree branch come through the windshield in such a manner? The answer is because a tree had fallen across the tracks.

The real question is why NJ Transit failed to clear away the tree branch before the fatal impact. According to the family of the deceased worker, NJ Transit became aware of fallen trees across the tracks on numerous occasions and failed to do anything to address this hazard.

An arborist examined the tree that caused the fatal crash, determining that it showed signs of internal decay. However, there were no exterior signs of decay according to the report. Interestingly, the arborist also did not provide any specific reason as to why the tree fell over onto the tracks. Could NJ Transit have spotted signs that the tree was going to fall in the near future? This is never explored in the report.

NJ Transit workers are tasked with surveying trees alongside tracks and determining whether they are likely to fall. If one of these workers spots a tree that is likely to fall onto or near the tracks, they are supposed to paint the truck with a red marker. It is not clear why workers failed to identify the tree that eventually fell onto the tracks.

In the end, the report concludes that “pre-dawn, low-light conditions” prevented the operator from seeing the fallen tree fast enough to apply the brakes and avoid the collision. While low-light conditions seem to have contributed to the crash, one might argue that the primary factor was the tree that lay across the train tracks. Going even further, one might argue that the accident would not have occurred if NJ Transit had been more effective in removing the fallen tree.

Other transit and train companies have special sensors that identify hazards across the rail lines. NJ Transit might need to implement similar technology in the future to ensure crashes like these never again threaten the lives of hard-working operators. If there is one thing that this report clarifies, it is the fact that by the time an operator sees a fallen tree on a train track ahead, it is far too late to apply the brakes.

New Report Seems to Back Up Family’s Allegations

While the report seems to shift blame onto low-light conditions rather than NJ Transit itself, it does point out that trains struck trees on four separate occasions prior to the crash. The surviving family of the victim plans to sue NJ Transit for its role in the accident, and one would guess that the plaintiffs plan to refer to the report in order to back up their allegations. Specifically, they will probably allege that because NJ Transit was aware of four separate accidents involving tree collisions, it should have taken better steps to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Speak with a NJ Transit Accident Lawyer for Further Guidance

An NJ Transit accident lawyer may be able to help if you need answers about the death of your loved one. Although the transit company might release various reports about fatal accidents, a lawyer could help you uncover additional evidence to establish negligence. The threat of fallen trees is particularly notable, especially since recent reports seem to indicate numerous reports of fallen trees impacting trains, with questionable action taken by NJ Transit. Remember, trials are relatively rare for civil cases, although they may be necessary if you want to hold transit organizations accountable. Contact Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C., today for further guidance.