NEWARK, N.J., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A bus driver and a passenger were killed early Friday morning after two transit buses in New Jersey collided, authorities said.
The buses, operated by New Jersey Transit, crashed just before the morning rush hour Friday in Newark.
According to investigators, one bus ran into the side of the other at the intersection of Raymond Boulevard, one of the largest thoroughfares in the city, and Broad Street at around 6 a.m. local time.
About 20 passengers were aboard the bus that was T-boned, and all but one were injured -- seven seriously. The other bus, driven by Joseph Bathelus, carried no passengers.
Bathelus, a 27-year employee of New Jersey Transit, was killed in the crash. The other was treated for minor injuries. New Jersey Transit said both drivers were in good standing.
Friday afternoon, authorities said that an unidentified passenger had also died from their injuries.
"By the grace of God, we're praying for all of the folks that are in the hospital, that they get a speedy recovery from this tragic accident this morning," Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said.
The crash caused delays and detours around downtown Newark -- New Jersey's largest city, located about 10 miles west of New York City -- with about 20 bus routes affected.
Officials did not initially speculate on the cause of the crash.
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