‘Dangerous’ Crossing Blamed for Fatal Hackensack Train Crash as Family Slams NJ Transit in Major Lawsuit
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, The family of a 79-year-old Hackensack grandmother killed by a passenger train has launched a sweeping lawsuit against NJ Transit, the city, and multiple transportation agencies. The legal action alleges that a high-traffic local rail crossing was left in a hazardous “state of disrepair,” creating a death trap for neighborhood pedestrians.
The lawsuit shines a harsh spotlight on pedestrian safety along the Pascack Valley Line, where local officials have repeatedly sounded the alarm over missing safety infrastructure.
The Fatal Accident at Essex Street Station
The wrongful death lawsuit stems from a tragic incident that occurred on August 7, 2025, just before 10:00 a.m. According to police and court records:
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The Victim: Luz Lopez, a 79-year-old resident of Hackensack.
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The Incident: Lopez was struck and killed by a Hoboken-bound Pascack Valley Line train near the Essex Street Station.
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The Aftermath: While the five passengers on board escaped injury, the impact was fatal.
Pedro Lopez, the victim’s husband, filed the suit targeting NJ Transit, Bergen County, the City of Hackensack, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). The filing claims the defendants failed their legal responsibility to design, construct, inspect, and monitor the intersection of Essex Street and Railroad Avenue to protect the public.
Local Officials Demanded Safety Upgrades Before Tragedy
While NJ Transit and Bergen County representatives declined to comment on the active litigation, records show that Hackensack city officials had already classified the local tracks as high-risk zones.
August 2025 was a devastating month for the community, marking two rail fatalities in just over a week: the Hackensack accident on August 7, followed by another fatal train strike in nearby River Edge on August 15. Earlier that same year, in May 2025, a male pedestrian was also struck and killed near Hackensack’s Clinton Place crossing.
In a formal letter sent to NJ Transit following the deaths, Hackensack Mayor Caseen Gaines and the city council explicitly demanded an immediate safety audit and sweeping infrastructure upgrades.
The Requested Safety Improvements Included:
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Enhanced Signaling: Ground-level flashing warning lights and distinct audible alerts to supplement traditional crossing gates and bells.
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Physical Barriers: Increased protective fencing and physical deterrents along open tracks running near parks, residential areas, and local schools.
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High-Visibility Signage: Prominent, reflective, and multilingual warning signs, alongside suicide prevention hotline information.
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Public Awareness: Expanded safety education campaigns throughout Bergen County community centers, libraries, and public schools.
“The safety of everyone within our city limits is our utmost priority,” stated City Attorney Rich Malagiere. “While the city does not have jurisdiction over railways and train crossings, the mayor and council have consistently advocated — both publicly and privately — for renewed infrastructure safety initiatives.”
Ongoing Push for Rail Infrastructure Accountability
In the wake of the community backlash and police department warnings regarding open rail corridors, transit authorities have begun facing increased pressure. Hackensack leadership, including the city manager and police chief, held emergency meetings with transit officials to expedite regional upgrades.
As the lawsuit moves forward through the New Jersey court system, it stands as a stark warning regarding the real-world consequences of delayed municipal and state infrastructure safety initiatives.
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Tags: #HackensackNJ #BergenCounty #NJTransit #RailSafety #InfraStructure #NJNews #Lawsuit #PublicSafety
Let’s stop wasting money on lights and gates….they don’t prevent this