New Jersey Bus Crash Leaves 1 Dead, 18 Injured

— -- One person has died and 18 others are injured after two buses collided in Newark, New Jersey, this morning, officials said.

The New Jersey Transit buses crashed into each other around 6:02 a.m. near the intersection of North Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard in downtown Newark, according to the Newark Police Department. One of the buses had no passengers on board but the driver -- a longtime employee -- was killed, according to New Jersey Transit Police.

The driver has been identified as Joseph Barthelus, according to NJ Transit. Barthelus, 70, worked for NJ Transit for 27 years.

“NJ Transit is a family and when an incident like this happens, it impacts everyone in a very meaningful way," NJ Transit Police chief Christopher Trucillo said.

The other bus was carrying 17 passengers and all of them were taken to nearby hospitals for injuries. Several are in critical condition. The bus driver -- another longtime NJ Transit employee -- was also transported to a hospital for neck, shoulder and back injuries, police said.

The surviving driver has been identified as James Roberts, who has been an operator for NJ Transit for 35 years. Roberts was released from the hospital today, according to NJ Transit.

The Newark Mayor’s Office and New Jersey Transit Police had initially reported that 19 passengers were injured in the collision.

The passenger-filled bus was on its regular route, from Irvington to Clifton, picking up and discharging passengers when the crash occurred, police said.

Officials suspect one of the buses ran a red light at the intersection, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office will investigate the crash, police said.

Streets are closed because of the accident, police said. Commuters have been advised of bus service delays and detours in the area.

Dramatic photos from the scene appeared to show one of the buses on its side and crushed nearly in half.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.