Newark Board of Education sued after NJ cheerleader critically injured

NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) — A grieving Newark mother is suing the Board of Education after her daughter was hit by a car while getting off a school bus earlier this year.

Chiara Jones, then an 18-year-old senior at Arts High School in Newark, was returning from a cheerleading competition on the evening of Feb. 4.

Jones’ mother, Tomeika Hines-Jones, said she had been texting with her daughter and following her location during the bus ride back. Hines-Jones had arranged for an Uber to pick up Chiara and bring her home, where she planned to surprise Chiara with a steak dinner. But Hines-Jones quickly noticed that her daughter’s location wasn’t moving from in front of Arts High School, and Chiara had stopped responding to texts and calls.

Hines-Jones went down to the school, where she discovered a crime scene. She then rushed to University Hospital, where Chiara was in critical condition.

Hines-Jones said if she hadn’t been tracking her daughter’s location, she’s not sure when she would have been notified about the crash. She said the district never called her, despite providing ample emergency contact information at the beginning of the school year.

“You leave your children in the hands of your school and it’s like the school failed me and failed Chiara,” said Hines-Jones.

Chiara’s family is now suing the Newark Board of Education, the bus company, and the driver who hit Chiara.

Their lawsuit claims the bus driver did not activate the red lights, indicating students were about to step off the bus.

“Instead of turning on the bus’ red lights, stop sign out, swing open, the bus driver just opened the door and let the students out,” said James Lynch, the family’s attorney.

Lynch said chaperones or coaches on the bus were supposed to be the first ones off to ensure safe passage for the students. He said this never happened.

“Frankly, Miss Jones’ life care, medical costs exceeded tens of millions of dollars,” said Lynch. “Tens and tens of millions of dollars over her life.”

Hines-Jones is now Chiara’s full-time caregiver and taking life day by day. “It’s very emotional,” said Hines-Jones. “It’s an emotional roller coaster.”

The Newark Board of Education declined to comment because this is pending litigation.

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