2 serious crashes outside Arts High School this year have parents calling for changes

A teacher was killed and a teen cheerleader was seriously injured in separate crashes this year.

Naomi Yané

Oct 28, 2024, 7:43 PM

Updated 44 days ago

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A teacher struck by a car outside of Arts High School in Newark on Oct. 23 has died from her injuries, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials say that Laura Cuevas, 66, died Saturday night at University Hospital.
According to a spokesperson for the Newark Public School District, Cuevas was an art teacher at East Ward Elementary School. She was on her way to a staff development day when she was struck, according to officials.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office says two cars collided, one vehicle lost control and struck Cuevas, which pinned her against the building.
This is the second pedestrian-involved crash in less than a year in front of the school. It has parents calling for more to be done to keep pedestrians safe.
Arts High student and cheerleader Chiara Jones was struck and severely injured by a vehicle on Feb. 4 after getting off a school bus. News 12 spoke with James Lynch, the Jones family’s attorney, who says something has to be done about cars speeding along this road.
"Drivers driving too quickly in these school areas. We should all know, as drivers, that that shouldn’t be done and I think every parent out there would want those laws enforced and make sure that we don’t have drivers speeding in areas where we have children crossing the street and teachers walking to school,” Lynch says. “That’s why those posted limits area lower in school zones and they really need to be enforced."
Regarding the crash involving Cuevas, a spokesperson for the Newark School District wrote in a statement, “Since sustaining injuries from the tragic incident on Wednesday, [Ms. Cuevas] fought a hard fight. We ask that everyone who knew her keep her husband, sons, and family in your thoughts and prayers."
Parents say that something needs to be done before anyone else is hurt.
"Nobody has no patience around here for some reason. They need like a light out here or a police officer," said Leo Robinson, a parent waiting to pick up his high schoolers.
Another teacher and the two drivers were also injured and treated at University Hospital in the Oct. 23 crash.
According to New Jersey State Police, there have been 514 crashes and 543 fatalities this year on New Jersey roadways.