Naomi Johnson, the mother of Deshon Johnson (left), who was killed by a NJ Transit bus in July, wants to prevent more tragic deaths like those of her only child. So she has started a petition on change.org seeking to bring justice to Deshon by ending “the abuse of the NJ Transit bus drivers.”
Deshon, 22 and an Essex County College student, was killed when he was running to catch a bus in Bloomfield to get to his job in Clifton. According to the petition, Deshon was patiently waiting at the bus stop to go to work when the bus came speeding around the corner, never stopping. The bus jumped the curb and knocked down Deshon, then dragged him “50 to 100 feet to his death.”
In the petition, Johnson states that she would like it to implement safety awareness and jail time for reckless bus drivers. She also asks for a memorial at the location where Deshon’s life ended or a street adopted and named in Deshon’s honor.
In August, friends and family of Deshon, who lived in Montclair, staged a protest in the spot where he was killed, dissatisfied with the way the town of Bloomfield and NJ Transit have handled Deshon’s death. An email to Baristanet that month stated:
The family has seen video from the accident and feel that there was obvious negligence on behalf of the town of Bloomfield, the bus driver, and nj transit. We also are not satisfied with the investigation effort being given by the Prosecutors office. Deshon’s mother has only heard from nj transit once, which was 1 day before the wake, being very demanding to meet with her and never once at least said sorry. The intersection has also been under construction for a while and was still under construction when the event took place, and is now all brand new and fixed, what a coincidence.
Deshon was the breadwinner in his family, supporting his mother, who was disabled in a 2007 car accident. To read or sign the full petition, click here.
signed and shared on facebook! Everything that I read says that Deshon was a young man of much promise. His loss is a real tragedy!
It’s a sad, tragic situation. From all accounts, Mr. Johnson sounds like a great and respectable young man.
The narrative is confusing though. Above it says he was running to catch the bus, but also waiting patiently at the bus top. On the petition it says he was waiting when the bus came speeding by, failing to stop and jumping the curb, but he was also knocking on the door or the bus?
I received a painful called a day before my son’s birthday on March 4, 2013 from Essex County Assistants Prosecutor Erica Liu who was handling my son’s case; she stated that the Grand Jury found the bus driver free from criminal act. The information, investigation, footage of the bus speeding around the corner, pictures of the scene with tire marks on the curb, footage of the bus went on top of the curb from one of the business camera; my son’s bank statement, phone bill and business owner’s statement were not taken in full consideration when presenting to the juries. According to Erica she stated that they used sciencetification evidence to show that the bus did not go over the curb. On the other hand, the Passaic bus driver was charge killing the pedestrian. The bus driver in Passaic was indicted. Why my son’s killer was set free. No one wants to be held liable for Deshon Johnson death.
In November Ms. Liu told me I cannot set in the Grand Jury but I can set outside or another floor whiles the Grand Jury in session. Later on in January Ms. Liu called me and told me that I cannot set outside why the Grand Jury in session. I do not know how the prosecutor present the information because no one was there on my behalf was allowed.
On March 14, 2013 10:30 Essex County Prosecutor Office on Market Street 4th floor Vehicular Homicide conference room Newark, NJ we supposed to meet with the prosecutor for further details about Deshon’s case. We need character references on how he acted on riding the buses or supports who love one was killed by NJ Transit/public transportation or injured. The prosecutor trying to say Deshon chase the bus down and he cause his own death. As we know that type of behavior is out of Deshon’s character. If you ride the bus with him please come out and speak on his behalf. Please come and support Deshon. This is our last chance for Justice for Deshon we have to be heard. We will be wearing t-shirts with different pictures of Deshon to address his characters. All supporters will get a free t-shirts with my son’s picture. Please come out and be a voice for justice. This bus killing needs to stop and poor investigation from our justice system who vowed to support innocent people. No more cover up, blaming the death on victims who die or deeming all state ran company accident as a fatality without proper investigation.
Your support is greatly needed. Together we can make a change!
What ever happen to pedestrian have the right away? The prosecutor decide who should be charged for an innocent pedestrian life. Deshon’s or Nobel Ross bus driver were not charged but the Passaic bus driver was charge for killing a man. Deshon and Nobel lived in the same town, building and floor. The Coach USA bus driver ended Nobel life January 23, 2012 and Deshon’s July 18, 2012. What are the prosecutor basing their decision of information? Life style, race, political popularity, county cover or laziness to do proper investigation. Essex County Prosecutor work conduct or poor because of the overwhelming case loads.
Noneillahstore.com is in honor of Deshon L. Johnson who life ended by a Coach USA driver operating a NJ Transit bus. The bus driver back wheel jumped the handicap curb speeding around the corner dragging Deshon 50 to 100 feet to his demised. Before this horrific act of crime, Deshon would have graduated out of college with a Degree in Business finance. A mother or father should not have to bury their child before them.
Please help support Deshon Johnson college scholarship. You can buy necklace, watches, lighters and other items. The money will go towards college scholarships to qualified candidates who major in music or business. As well as to start a bereavement support facility for parents who lost their child in the hands of others. Your support is greatly appreciated.
If you want to read the story about this remarkable young man you can Google Deshon Johnson, Sean Cos Mason to listen to his music or support his campaign by signing his petition on change.org for better safety laws.
We at Noneillahstore.com thank you for your support.