Executive Summary
- NJ Transit driver Christopher L. Younger was indicted for second-degree leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death.
- The incident occurred on Nov. 30, 2025, in Absecon, resulting in the death of pedestrian Thomas V. Kyle.
- Investigators allege Younger drove a block away, inspected damage, and then continued his route.
- Younger allegedly reported to the NJ Transit control center that he had struck a deer.
- Younger remains employed by NJ Transit but is currently out of service.
An Atlantic County grand jury has indicted a New Jersey Transit bus driver in connection with a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred in November 2025. Christopher L. Younger, 41, of Pleasantville, New Jersey, was indicted on Wednesday on a second-degree charge of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, according to an announcement from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
The incident took place on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m. in Absecon. Law enforcement officials state that Younger was operating an NJ Transit bus southbound on Shore Road when the vehicle struck 63-year-old Thomas V. Kyle near Iowa Avenue. Kyle, a resident of Absecon, was attempting to cross the road at the time of the collision and was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.
According to an affidavit of probable cause cited by investigators, Younger did not remain at the immediate scene of the impact. Investigators allege that he continued driving for approximately one block to the vicinity of West Bolton Avenue. The affidavit states that Younger stopped the bus at that location, exited to inspect the vehicle for damage, and then returned to the driver’s seat to continue his route. It is further alleged that Younger contacted the NJ Transit control center to report that he had struck a deer.
The investigation, conducted jointly by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Crash Investigations Unit and the Absecon Police Department, utilized forensic evidence to determine that Younger was the operator of the bus involved. While Younger was initially charged on a summons in January, the recent grand jury decision elevates the legal proceedings. A spokesperson for NJ Transit confirmed that Younger remains employed by the agency but is currently not in service.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is entitled to a fair trial.
Investigative & Safety Implications
This case underscores the critical legal and professional obligations imposed on public transit operators regarding accident reporting and scene management. The indictment highlights the severity with which the judicial system treats ‘leaving the scene’ offenses, particularly when a fatality is involved. Furthermore, the allegation that the driver misreported the incident as a wildlife collision to dispatchers brings into focus the internal verification protocols used by transit authorities to assess vehicle damage and potential liability immediately following reported impacts.
