RAMSEY, N.J. – A series of incidents on Route 17 in New Jersey caused road closures and delays on Friday morning, affecting commuters and residents from Ramsey to Carlstadt.
First, a crash involving a stolen car and a downed utility pole shut down Route 17 in both directions near Saddle River. The crash resulted in a fire and telephone pole wires covering the highway. Utility companies quickly arrived on scene to attempt repairs.
The crash was reported shortly before 5 a.m. near Allendale Avenue, causing delays of about 15 to 20 minutes around 8 a.m, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Around the same time, the Ramsey Office of Emergency Management alerted drivers to a closure on Route 17 south at Lake Street for an “extended period of time.” This alert came after a 55-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed while attempting to cross the northbound lanes of Route 17 and was hit by a Honda CRV traveling in the left lane. Both the north and southbound lanes were affected by this crash but were reopened around 9:30 a.m.
Finally, a water main break on Route 17 south in Carlstadt caused additional closures and traffic delays, prompting frustration and venting from residents and commuters on social media. Comments on posted traffic alerts described the whole area as a complete disaster.