New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at a press conference Thursday said he is "heartbroken," and "disturbed" by the actions of some members of his staff members in reportedly planning a major traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge.
The traffic congestion was so severe it delayed emergency responses that led to the death of a 91-year-old woman, slowed the search for a 4-year-old girl, reports say.
"Right now I'm sad," Christie said during Thursday's press conference.
Though he said he didn't order the lane closures that caused the traffic jams, the governor did not downplay his role in the scandal.
"Ultimately I am responsible for what happens under my watch," Christie said at the press conference.
"I am heartbroken," Christie said.
The governor, who has his sights on the 2016 Presidential candidacy, also said that although he and his staff are close, that will not hold him back from taking action against the guilty parties.
"I will never allow personal feelings or long standing relationships to get in the way of doing my job," Christie said.
Christie said he fired Bridget Kelly, his former deputy chief of staff.
"By 9 o'clock this morning, her position was terminated," Christie said.
Kelly wrote in an email to an employee at the Port Authority of New York And New Jersey: "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee," USA Today reported. The decision was allegedly made in retaliation against the mayor of Fort Lee who did not endorse Christie during he re-election campaign.
Christie said as of now he's not concerned about the 2016 presidential elections.
"My focus is on the people of New Jersey and the job that they gave me," he said.
