file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi’s legislation assisting NJ Transit accident victims was signed into law today by the governor. Tommy’s Law (A3904) requires the state to promptly provide accident victims and their families with information regarding the incident. Senator Cardinale sponsored the bill in the Senate.
The new law also requires the state to return all personal belongings to victims following an investigation.
The law is named for Thomas Ryan, a former Ramsey resident who died after being hit by a train at the station in Ramsey in 2016. Tommy reportedly was struck by a NJ Transit train while attempting to cross a double track to reach his train.
“As a result of what happened to Tommy, accident victims and their families should now expect to be treated with respect and understanding when trying to obtain details in a reasonable amount of time,” said Schepisi (R-Bergen). “Accident’s, whether minor or severe, are traumatic. The last thing families need is the added aggravation of fighting an agency to get information or personal effects. Tommy’s Law will expedite the process.”
Tommy’s family said it took weeks for them to receive information from the state about the accident, prompting the man’s uncle, Jamie Ryan, to lobby for a liaison for victims’ families.
