New Jersey

Suit Filed Over Death of New Jersey High School Principal Who Donated Marrow

What to Know

  • Fiancée of a New Jersey high school principal who died after donating bone marrow to a student in France has filed a wrongful death lawsuit
  • Sheronda Braker's lawsuit filed Monday names Hackensack University Medical Center
  • Westfield High School Principal Derrick Nelson died in April, several weeks after lapsing into a coma during the procedure

The fiancée of a New Jersey high school principal who died after donating bone marrow to a student in France has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

Sheronda Braker's lawsuit filed Monday names Hackensack University Medical Center.

Westfield High School Principal Derrick Nelson died in April, several weeks after lapsing into a coma during the procedure.

The 44-year-old Nelson, who had a 6-year-old daughter, didn't know the French teen but wanted to help nonetheless. Nelson and the teen were connected through Be the Match, a worldwide bone marrow registry network.

Nelson also served as an officer in the Army Reserve for more than 20 years and had recently re-enlisted.

The hospital didn't immediately return a message seeking comment on the lawsuit Monday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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