Deshon Johnson was killed by a bus more than a decade ago in Essex County. His mother has a stirring plea: Remember the good days, too.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — If you Google the name of Deshon Johnson, you’ll see a long list of articles about his tragic death, which took place in North Jersey more than a decade ago. But his mother says it’s also important to remember him as a “vibrant young man with immense potential” – not just as a victim.
And there’s no doubt that in Bloomfield, Montclair and Essex County, the community does.
Earlier this month, a memorial tree and plaque were dedicated at Broad Street and Bay Avenue in honor of Johnson, who was struck and killed by a NJ Transit bus in Bloomfield as he was headed to his job in 2012. A grand jury later declined to indict the driver, who was employed with Coach USA. See Related: Man Killed by Bus Identified As College Student
Johnson, 22, attended Kean University and Essex County College and was on the cusp of furthering his education at Montclair State University at the time of his death. The aspiring hip-hop artist was working a part-time job to help support his mother, Naomi Johnson, who was disabled as a result of a car crash.
Johnson’s death was widely mourned in the community, including at a memorial service held shortly after his passing.
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"He was a talented man who knew what he wanted to do with his life," said a friend, Matt Fernandez. "He was very driven and very motivated."
- See Related: Family, Friends Celebrate Life of Deshon Johnson
- See Related: Deshon Johnson Receives Posthumous Degree
Since that day, his mother has been keeping her son’s memory alive through something that was dear to his heart: the arts.
In 2020, Johnson helped to posthumously release “4 My Town,” her son’s tribute to Montclair, a town he was immensely proud of. While nothing can replace her son, there is a measure of solace in helping his talent reach other people, she previously told Patch. Read More: Montclair Woman Honors Late Son By Keeping His Music Alive
Two years later, Johnson headlined a fashion show at the New Jersey Women’s Expo in Edison. The show included posthumously released music from her late son. Read More: Fashion Show Honors Memory Of Essex County Musician Killed By Bus
Johnson continued this tradition earlier this month, when – flanked by several community leaders and town officials – she placed a memorial plaque at the corner where Deshon took his final breath.
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Johnson had a message of thanks for the people who helped make her latest tribute possible:
“I want to give a special thanks to Councilwoman Sarah Cruz, [Bloomfield Human Services Supervisor] Paula Perikes, Mr. Perikes, and my friend/neighbor Myrna Poole for partaking in my son's memorial. I also would like to thank Myrna for taking the pictures, the Bloomfield resident with blonde hair who stopped to give her condolences, and Brookside Garden Center owner Martin O’Boyle for donating the flowers to put at the site where my son was horrifically killed for the years of July 18, 2022, and July 18, 2023.”
Previous tributes to her son have included a proclamation presented by Councilwoman Cruz and New Jersey assemblyman/former Bloomfield mayor Michael Venezia in 2021 for Pedestrian Safety Month.
“My desire for the community to remember him not just as a victim but as a vibrant young man with immense potential,” Johnson said, adding that her son had “wisdom beyond his years” and was a positive influence on those who knew him.
“Deshon was more than just a student: he was a beloved figure in his community, known for his infectious smile and passion for music,” Johnson continued. “His dedication to his craft, his love for music, and his positive impact on those around him. His artistic talents were evident in his work as ‘Sean Cos Mason,’ where he expressed himself through lyrics that resonated with many. Friends and family remember him as someone who brought joy to those around him and had dreams that inspired others.”
The circumstances surrounding her son’s death have left an indelible mark on the community, Johnson added.
“I emphasize that my son's promising life was deliberately cut short,” she said, urging the community to honor his memory by celebrating his achievements and advocating for safer public transportation.
“I hope that people will remember my son for his kindness, ambition, and the bright future that was so cruelly stolen from him,” Johnson said.
The bereaved mother gave Patch an update about life more than a decade after her son’s death, noting that she is still grieving powerfully after all these years:
“My existence has been irrevocably altered, plunging me into perpetual darkness. The anguish within my heart feels insurmountable, an affliction that time cannot heal. It has created an everlasting void, leaving my soul with an emptiness that is impossible to fill. I am confronted with the heartbreaking reality that I will never witness my son’s wedding or experience the joy of welcoming grandchildren into my life. The tragic loss of my son … severed not only our familial bond, but also the continuation of our lineage. My son did not have the opportunity to father children who could carry on his name and legacy.”
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