Officials Lobby For 'Angie's Law' To Oversee Jitney Buses
WEST NEW YORK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Officials in Hudson County rallied Friday for more oversight of jitney buses following the death of a toddler this summer.
Transit workers and local politicians lobbied on Boulevard East in West New York near where 8-month-old Angelie Paredes was killed.
As WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported, officials called for the implementation of Angie's Law. Paredes was killed by a falling lamp post.
Officials Lobby For 'Angie's Law' To Oversee Jitney Buses
Authorities said driver Idowu Daramola, 48, was using his cellphone when he lost control of the bus and struck the pole, which fell onto the little girl's stroller.
"What it will accomplish is that these jitneys right now are basically unregulated," New Jersey Assembly Speaker-elect Vincent Prieto told Putney. "We want to see workers go to work in a safe environment."
The measure would regulate jitneys by requiring companies to meet certain standards.
"Everybody has to march to the same tone," West New York Mayor Felix Roque said.
"We know these buses are ticking time bombs," transit workers union state chairman Raymond Greaves said. "They're unregulated, there's no oversight and we need oversight."
Daramola was charged with reckless driving, using a cellphone while driving and death by auto for the July 30 incident.
Prieto said he's hoping to get the bill up for a vote early next year.
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