Multiple collision with an intercity charter bus, passenger car, and transit bus, state route 495, North Bergen, New Jersey, October 9, 1986.

This report describes an investigation into a coach accident which involved two charter intercity tour buses loaded with European tourists. As the westbound buses approached the Kennedy Boulevard exit on SR (State Route) 495, the second bus suddenly veered leftward into the adjacent lane, struck the left rear of a passenger car travelling in that lane, then crossed into the eastbound contraflow lane, and struck a transit bus loaded with commuter passengers en route to New York City. One bus passenger aboard the transit bus was fatally injured and 26 other occupants aboard both buses sustained serious to minor injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was the distraction of the charter bus driver from his driving duties while assisting a bus passenger with a CB (Citizen Band) radio which resulted in his failure to remain within the proper traffic lane while travelling in a construction zone.