05/19/2026
On May 18, 2026 at 9:49 pm, the Ridgefield Park Fire Department was dispatched to Route 80 Eastbound for a multicar motor vehicle accident with one vehicle off the bridge into the Hackensack River. While responding to the call, Fire Dispatch (Bergen County Public Safety Operations Center) advised they received multiple reports of a vehicle in the water and unknown reports if the occupant got out.
Assistant Chief Zardoya, Car 2, arrived on the scene of the accident on Route 80 and confirmed there was a multicar accident with one vehicle over the barrier and into the Hackensack River. The vehicle located in the river was adjacent to 300 Industrial Ave with unknown occupants trapped. Assistant Chief Alberque, Car 3, was redirected below the overpass to the area of the vehicle in the water. Truck 2, Engine 1, and Engine 3 assisted Car 3 to verify if any occupant was in the vehicle. Ladder 1 and Engine 2 responded to the boat launch site to assist launching Marine 1 into the water. Truck 2 deployed their aerial ladder to gain access over the vehicle in the water to search for any trapped occupants, while marine units were being deployed. Hackensack Fire Department handled initial patient care and a fluid spill for the vehicle on Route 80. Hackensack University Medical Center BLS evaluated occupants of the vehicle and they were transported. The driver of the vehicle in the water was able to self-extricate.
Due to the severity of the incident, marine units from Ridgefield Park, Teaneck, Hackensack, and Oradell were utilized to confirm no occupants were still trapped within the vehicle or in the water. In addition, the Bergen County Regional Dive Team, consisting of Lyndhurst, Oradell, Wyckoff, and Mahwah Fire Departments, responded and staged on scene in case they were needed. The marine units, and a drone with thermal imaging, were used to check both shorelines for any injured parties.
New Jersey State Police are conducting the investigation of the accident.
The Ridgefield Park Fire Department thanks all assisting agencies for their help throughout the incident.
