1 Injured in Truck Accident on Broad Avenue in Ridgefield, NJ

Ridgefield, NJ — May 30, 2025, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 2:45 a.m. at Broad Avenue and Maple Avenue.

Authorities said a semi-truck collided with two other vehicles before hitting a utility pole and a building.

One person was hospitalized with unspecified injuries after being extricated from the wreckage, according to authorities. It is not clear how that person was involved in the accident.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Bergen County crash. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people read about a truck plowing into two vehicles, then slamming into a utility pole and a building, they’re bound to ask: How does something like that even happen? At 2:45 in the morning, traffic’s usually light, so what caused this 18-wheeler to careen into multiple targets like a wrecking ball?

As of now, there’s no clear explanation. One person was hospitalized after being extricated from the wreckage, but authorities haven’t said whether that person was in one of the cars, the truck or possibly even in the building that was struck. That’s a critical detail, and the fact that it’s missing points to how early we are in the investigation.

We don’t yet know whether the truck was moving at high speed, whether the driver lost control due to distraction or impairment or whether mechanical issues played a role. Depending on how those variables line up, the accountability landscape could look very different.

For example, was the truck driver on the phone? Call records and cell tower data can show that. Did the truck have a dash cam or in-cab monitoring system? If so, that footage might answer whether the driver was nodding off, distracted or reacting to something on the road.

Another critical source of data is the truck’s engine control module, or “black box.” That device records the vehicle’s speed, brake use and steering inputs in the moments leading up to a crash. If a truck barrels through a quiet intersection and hits multiple objects, the ECM may hold the key to understanding how and why it happened.

But beyond the cab, there’s also the company behind the wheel to consider. What kind of hiring practices do they have? What training did this driver receive? I once litigated a case involving a driver who had been fired from several trucking jobs before being hired by a company that barely vetted him. Their version of a “skills test” couldn’t catch a flat tire, much less a pattern of reckless behavior.

Questions That Still Need Answers

• Was the truck hauling cargo? If so, did shifting weight contribute to the driver losing control?
• Were road or weather conditions a factor?
• Did mechanical failure, like bad brakes or a blown tire, play a role?
• Was this driver fit to be behind the wheel, both physically and professionally?

Until investigators collect black box data, camera footage and the driver’s background, it’s impossible to say who’s responsible. But gathering that evidence is exactly how we get from vague headlines to concrete accountability.

Key Takeaways:

• The cause of the crash has not been determined; many possibilities remain open.
• Investigators need to gather electronic data (like ECM readings) and driver cell records to understand what happened.
• The role of the trucking company — its hiring and training practices — must be examined.
• The identity and role of the injured person remain unclear and could affect liability questions.
• Getting to the truth will require a thorough, independent investigation beyond initial police reports.