Timothy John Alva, a 29-year-old resident of Bayonne, was struck and killed by a New Jersey Transit bus on August 23, 2024, while riding his scooter on West Side Avenue in Jersey City.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:56 a.m. at the intersection of West Side Avenue and Stevens Avenue and it has reinvigorated Jersey City residents, who have for years been demanding that city and county government officials take action to “prevent the seemingly endless incidents of traffic-related violence.”
Preliminary findings from a police report, reviewed by Safe Streets Jersey City, indicate that the bus ran a red light just before the collision.
The report, which was obtained by Colin De Vries of Safe Streets Jersey City and shared with The Jersey Journal and other media outlets, cites “Driver Inattention” and “Failure To Obey Traffic Control Device” as contributing factors.
According to the report, video footage from the bus’s dashboard camera shows the traffic signal at Stevens Avenue was red as the bus entered the intersection. Alva, who was riding his electric scooter, was also shown looking at the red light before proceeding northbound when he was struck by the bus.
The bus driver reportedly did not stop immediately after the impact, continuing on until reaching Van Nostrand Avenue, a block away from the collision site.
NJ Transit officials have confirmed that the driver of the bus has been removed from service pending further investigation. The Jersey City Police Department is leading the ongoing inquiry into the incident.
A spokesperson for NJ Transit stated, “At approximately 11:56 a.m. on Friday 8/23, an NJ Transit bus operating on the 80 line struck and fatally injured an individual on a scooter at the intersection of West Side Avenue and Van Nostrand Avenue in Jersey City. There were no injuries to the 40 customers on board the bus. Jersey City police are leading the investigation.”
Safe Streets Jersey City, an advocacy group focused on traffic safety, has called for the release of the bus’s dash camera footage to further clarify the circumstances of the crash.
“People outside of motor vehicles are the most vulnerable road users and subject to being killed if a driver defies the law,” said Jimmy Lee, a trustee of the group. “We await news about charges filed in this case after the investigation concludes. The family of Timothy Alva deserves justice.”
“Buses provide a critical service and are really safe for the riders inside, but just like other large, heavy vehicles, they absolutely must be operated with care,” said Lee. “Despite all the speculation from online commentary about the rider of the kickscooter doing something unwise, the report clearly shows the bus ran the red light.”
The incident has reignited discussions about traffic safety in Jersey City, where residents have long advocated for measures to prevent traffic-related violence.
The city’s Vision Zero initiative, aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries, has been criticized for its lack of tangible progress since its implementation in 2018.
Alva, who worked as a dialysis technician for Fresenius Medical Care and aspired to become a nurse, was remembered as a caring and outgoing individual. He had been engaged to Lawraine Kakilala and was described by friends and family as someone who deeply valued his relationships and community.
A visitation for Timothy Alva is scheduled for August 31 and September 1 at Migliaccio Funeral Home in Bayonne, with interment planned for September 3 at Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City.
The scene was vividly described on Reddit by witnesses who expressed shock that nobody attempted to aid Alva, as the victim lay suffering in his final moments of life.