Passaic vice principal dies from injuries after crash

The Passaic school district was in mourning this past weekend after word that School 6 Vice Principal Shavonn Stewart-Oliver had died of injuries suffered in a crash that also killed her husband.

The crash occurred the morning of March 16, officials said. On Sunday, Mayor Hector Lora confirmed to The Record and NorthJersey.com that Stewart-Oliver and her husband, Rhakeem Oliver, had succumbed to injuries from the accident in Kearny on the Newark-Jersey City Turnpike.

Rhakeem Oliver died immediately after the crash, officials said. Stewart-Oliver died Friday after several days in Jersey City Medical Center. Their daughter, whose name and age were not available, was also involved in the crash but survived, Lora said.

“I know this loving and wonderful family personally,” the mayor said. “This is a tragic loss for all of our city. This is a beautiful family committed to the education of our youth and our city. Our prayers go out to all of the family, and as a city we join together in mourning their loss.”

The family resided in West Orange. “We grieve the tragic loss of lives in a devastating accident,” added Passaic Board of Education President Daniel Rodriguez. “Their absence leaves a profound void in our school district, community and hearts.”

Details of the crash remain scarce. Requests for information from Kearny’s Police Department were not immediately returned.

“I am adamant in the fact that the family deserves to know what happened,” Lora said.

Details about memorial services also were not immediately available. Rodriguez said the district has been providing counseling services for students and staff adversely affected.