Marilyn Belkis Reyes Borjas Obituary, Death: 35-Year-Old Woman Tragically Killed in Newark Electric Scooter Collision; Loved Newark Resident Struck While in Crosswalk as Driver Now Faces Charges and Investigation Proceeds

The city of Newark, New Jersey is reeling from the tragic and untimely death of Marilyn Belkis Reyes Borjas, a 35-year-old woman whose life was abruptly cut short on June 26, 2025, following a devastating collision involving her electric scooter. Struck by a vehicle while riding lawfully through a crosswalk, Marilyn’s final moments were marked by a routine act of transit—one all too familiar in a city growing ever more reliant on shared mobility options. Her death, now under formal investigation, has sent a wave of grief and anger throughout the community that knew her, loved her, and now mourns the sudden loss of her vibrant presence.

Marilyn’s life ended not with a long illness or a distant tragedy, but in the heart of Newark—on a city street where she should have been safe, where the simple act of crossing should never have turned fatal. It was an ordinary day, and yet the impact of that moment—the screech of tires, the crash, the silence—now echoes with extraordinary weight for her family and friends, many of whom are still grappling with the disbelief that such a vibrant life could be extinguished so swiftly.

Authorities confirmed that Marilyn was riding her electric scooter within the crosswalk when she was struck by a vehicle. That act—legal, commonplace, and entirely within her rights—turned catastrophic through no fault of her own. The driver involved in the crash has been charged, though officials have not yet publicly detailed the nature of those charges. What is clear, however, is that an investigation is fully underway, and Marilyn’s family may soon pursue legal action in search of accountability and justice.

For those who knew Marilyn, this isn’t just a legal case—it is a profound personal loss. At 35, she was in the prime of her life. Those who shared space with her—whether family, coworkers, neighbors, or friends—remember a woman who radiated warmth, carried herself with grace, and made others feel seen and valued. Her personality, described by many as kind-hearted and intuitive, left a mark on every room she entered. To lose her is to lose a piece of what made Newark feel like home to so many.

The pain that surrounds this event is not confined to grief alone. It is accompanied by frustration—by the lingering question of how such a tragedy could happen in a modern urban setting designed to accommodate pedestrians and alternative forms of transportation. As cities nationwide encourage the use of eco-friendly personal vehicles like electric scooters, infrastructure and driver awareness have not always kept pace. Marilyn’s death now becomes a painful symbol of what happens when that gap between policy and practice claims a life.

Electric scooters have surged in popularity across Newark and other urban centers, offering convenience, affordability, and accessibility. Yet this growth has also revealed urgent challenges: limited protected lanes, inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws, and the ever-present vulnerability of scooter users in a car-dominated ecosystem. Marilyn, simply trying to cross the street as countless others do each day, was caught in this dangerous imbalance.

The ongoing investigation may eventually shed light on key questions: Was the driver speeding? Distracted? Were visibility or traffic signals factors? Was there prior negligence? These answers matter not only for accountability, but for the healing of a family shattered by loss. Legal options remain open to Marilyn’s loved ones, who may seek civil recourse not only to hold the driver accountable but to highlight systemic failures in urban transit safety.

But beyond the legal implications lies the human story—of a woman whose journey was cut short. Her death is not just a statistic. It is a narrative of unfulfilled plans, of phone calls that will never be returned, of celebrations and milestones that will now pass with her absence silently noted. Friends describe her laugh, her gentle encouragement, her way of offering help before being asked. Her absence is already being felt in ways words cannot fully capture.

The Newark community is beginning to respond, with candles lit, condolences offered, and early discussions of how to honor her life through improved street safety. While those actions cannot return Marilyn to the people who loved her most, they speak to the impact she made and the necessity of ensuring others do not suffer the same fate. Her death has stirred a broader call to protect the most vulnerable road users and to make meaningful changes to infrastructure, public awareness, and enforcement practices.

In the coming days, her family will likely release details of memorial arrangements, providing a time and place for loved ones to gather, grieve, and celebrate the life Marilyn lived. These ceremonies will be moments of both sorrow and reverence—acknowledging a life taken too soon, but also reflecting on the light she brought into the world during her 35 years.

As Newark residents pass through intersections and crosswalks in the days to come, many will do so with a deeper sense of caution, of awareness, and of loss. In that way, Marilyn’s name will live on—not only as a memory to those who knew her, but as a reminder that every life on the street is worth protecting, every crossing a sacred right of safety.

May her memory be a blessing, and may her story inspire both healing and change.