A New Jersey Transit bus operator was arrested on a charge of vehicular homicide after running over and killing a passenger just after dropping him off in Passaic last week, authorities said.
According to prosecutors, Catherine Collier, 65, of Passaic, stopped near the intersection of Main and Brook avenues at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, to let out a passenger, identified as 49-year-old Joseph Currier.
Currier exited the bus and went into the crosswalk when he was struck by the bus, witnesses told police.
A passenger told investigators Collier accelerated as the traffic light turned from yellow to red, and ran the red light.
Currier's face hit the windshield as Collier sped through the intersection, according to witnesses. Collier drove an additional 40 to 50 yards beyond the impact before stopping -- despite passengers on the bus yelling for her to stop and a man outside banging on the bus, authorities said.
Another driver at the intersection told police she was unable to turn when the light turned green because the NJ Transit bus blew into the intersection. She reported seeing the victim underneath the bus.
Collier was removed from her job at NJ Transit.
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Bail has been set for Collier at $50,000. Attorney information on Collier was not immediately available.
