By: Richard L. Smith
Elizabeth police are continuing to investigate a tragic crash that claimed the life of a city resident over the weekend, leaving family members grieving and renewing concerns about traffic safety along a busy stretch of Newark Avenue.
In a statement provided to RLS Media, Elizabeth Police Department spokesperson Ruby Contreras said the incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.
According to Contreras, Adrian Campos-Sevillia was traveling northbound on Newark Avenue in a white Honda Pilot when the vehicle struck a pedestrian, later identified as 64-year-old Donna Bass of Elizabeth.
The vehicle then struck a parked car before coming to a stop.
Bass was transported to Trinitas Regional Medical Center for treatment but later succumbed to her injuries, Contreras said.
Contreras also told RLS Media that Campos-Sevillia remained at the scene following the collision and has been cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
No charges have been announced, and authorities have not released any findings regarding the cause of the crash as detectives continue their investigation.
For Bass’s family, the loss has left an immeasurable void.
In a statement shared with RLS Media, relatives described Bass as a loving woman whose kindness, energy, and compassion touched countless lives throughout the community.
“She was more than a victim,” family members said. “She was a vibrant, loving woman with a beautiful spirit and a true zest for life.”
As loved ones gathered along Newark Avenue to remember Bass, family members said they became increasingly concerned by what they observed on the roadway.
They described watching vehicles continue to travel at high speeds while they placed candles and memorial items near the location where Bass was fatally injured.
The family told RLS Media they believe traffic safety along that section of Newark Avenue deserves greater attention.
They are urging officials to consider measures such as enhanced enforcement and roadway safety improvements aimed at protecting pedestrians and reducing dangerous driving behaviors.
While relatives have expressed concerns about speeding in the area, investigators have not publicly identified any contributing factors in the crash, and authorities have not determined whether speed or any other circumstance played a role.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
The incident has nevertheless prompted discussion among residents about pedestrian safety along one of Elizabeth’s busiest corridors, particularly during evening and weekend hours when traffic and activity levels can increase.
As police continue working to determine exactly what happened, Bass’s family said their primary focus remains on honoring her memory and ensuring that the woman they loved is remembered for the life she lived rather than the tragedy that took it.
“Donna mattered,” relatives told RLS Media. “We never want another family to experience this kind of pain.”
Anyone with information regarding the crash is encouraged to contact the Elizabeth Police Department as the investigation continues.