Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Chief of Police for the City of Passaic, Luis A. Guzman, announce that early this morning there was a two-vehicle crash in Passaic, New Jersey, on the shoulder of Route 21 northbound, by the service road exit to the Union Avenue Bridge, that resulted in minor injuries to three people.
The investigation revealed that the driver of a Jeep Patriot got a flat tire and pulled onto the shoulder of Route 21 north, close to the right-hand travel lane.
The driver of the Jeep exited the vehicle to change the tire, as the two passengers remained in the Jeep. As the driver of the Jeep was attempting to change the tire, a Dodge Challenger, traveling northbound on Route 21, drifted over to the right and struck the Jeep and driver of the Jeep, as he was outside his vehicle, causing him to be thrown onto the grass median surface with a 15-foot elevation drop.
After landing on the median, the driver of the Jeep got up and walked up the slope to the road to await medical assistance.
He was transported to the hospital and was found to have no broken bones or serious injuries.
The passengers of the Jeep also appear to have no serious injuries.
The investigation at this point indicates that the driver of the Dodge Challenger has a valid driver’s license and was neither intoxicated nor speeding when he collided with the Jeep.
No criminal charges have been filed.
For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Chief Assistant Prosecutor Paul DeGroot of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 837-7671 or at PDegroot@passaiccountynj.org.