Barrage Of Car Crashes Send Nutley First Responders Scrambling

NUTLEY, NJ — Nutley has seen at least 10 car crashes since New Year’s Eve, authorities announced Friday.

According to the Nutley Police Department, the following crashes were reported on Dec. 31:

• “Police took a report of a two-car motor vehicle collision at Centre and Hudson. A police officer who observed the crash reported that one of the vehicles did not have its lights on, which could have contributed to the motor vehicle accident. The driver of a Toyota was issued a summons for not having their lights on, and the driver of a Dodge Ram was issued a summons for [having an] unregistered [vehicle].”
• “Two vehicles collided [at Washington and Park] when one pulled out of convenience store lot. Surveillance revealed the driver of a 2021 Lincoln used the lot to cut through. The driver is observed traveling south on Washington Avenue, then cutting through the lot at high rate of speed exiting onto Park Avenue, where the collision occurred. The driver was issued a summons for using private property to avoid a traffic signal as well as careless driving.”

The following crashes were reported on Jan. 1, police said:

• “Two vehicles collided at Kingsland and Passaic, causing injury and full air bag deployment to both vehicles. The 17-year-old driver was making a turn when another motorist collided with her. The juvenile suffered a head injury and was transported to a [nearby] hospital.”
• “Police received a report that a young man crashed on Conover, causing heavy damage to a Jeep Laredo he was driving and a Chevy Silverado. The Chevy was pushed approximately 20 feet from where it was parked. The driver of the Jeep then ran from the scene. Later that day, the driver who fled told police that he panicked. He was [issued a summons] for leaving the scene of an accident.”
• “A patrol officer traveling down Centre Street observed a vehicle drift into oncoming traffic and cross over lanes crashing into a building. The officer rendered assistance to the driver, who reportedly was tired and fell asleep. The vehicle sustained heavy damage, took down a street sign and light pole, and struck a building on Centre Street. The passenger suffered a back injury, while the driver suffered other injuries. Multiple airbags were deployed. Both were transported to an area hospital.”

On Jan. 2, another crash took place, Nutley police said:

“Police, fire and medical [workers] responded to Park Ave at Lafayette regarding a motor vehicle crash in which the vehicle rolled over and the driver was trapped inside, hitting a parked vehicle. The driver, [a 69-year-old Nutley resident], was transported to an area hospital for his injuries, at which time he submitted to blood samples. He was charged with driving while under the influence, reckless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.”

On Jan. 3, two crashes took place on Route 21, Nutley police said:

• “A three-car motor vehicle accident on Rt. 21 at 1:26 p.m. closed all southbound lanes. Minor injuries were reported; officers had the highway opened in minimal time.”
• “A 19-year-old Passaic resident reported that he was traveling down Rt. 21. When he lost control of his vehicle and it began to spin. The vehicle struck the divider in one lane then crashed into the center divider. No injuries were reported.”

Two more crashes were reported in Nutley on Jan. 5, authorities said.

Surveillance video showed a vehicle traveling down Kingsland Avenue that jumped the curb and traveled across the lawn, creating tire divots on the property and causing more than $5,000 in damage, police said.

Meanwhile, a crash took place at Centre and Passaic – the second this week at that location, police noted.

According to authorities:

“Two vehicles collided, with one leaving the scene. When police and fire crews responded, they discovered two [people] entrapped. They were able to extricate them through the windshield. Both suffered injuries and were transported to an area hospital. The driver of the second vehicle (a Land Rover) fled the scene and later responded to police headquarters. He was issued summonses and released with no injuries.”

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