Clifton Crash Leaves Building Unsafe After Truck Slams Into Local Business, Two Rescued
A serious early morning crash in Clifton, New Jersey, left a commercial-residential building heavily damaged and forced emergency crews into a complex rescue operation that lasted for hours. Authorities confirmed that two individuals were safely rescued after a tractor-trailer crashed into a business property, raising concerns about structural safety and ongoing recovery efforts.
The incident happened around 2:20 a.m. on Monday when a USA Truck tractor-trailer carrying dog food veered into a building located on Kensington Avenue near the Route 3 east exit ramp. The impact caused significant damage to the front of the property, which houses a business on the ground level and a residential unit above.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and began rescue operations under challenging conditions. Fire crews used a ladder to safely evacuate a resident from the upstairs apartment, while the truck driver had to be freed using specialized hydraulic rescue equipment commonly known as the “jaws of life.” Both individuals sustained minor injuries, according to officials, and were successfully removed from the scene.
As of later in the morning, the truck remained lodged deep into the structure, making the situation more dangerous for responders and delaying cleanup efforts. Officials explained that the building’s stability had been compromised to the point where the truck itself was partially supporting the structure. This created a high-risk environment, requiring careful planning before any removal work could begin.
Authorities indicated that removing the vehicle could take several hours due to the unstable condition of the building. Crews may need to partially dismantle sections of the structure to safely extract the truck without causing further collapse. The extent of the damage has raised concerns about whether the building can be repaired or if it may need to be demolished entirely.
Local police confirmed that the cause of the crash is still under investigation, and no further details have been released at this time. Meanwhile, traffic in the surrounding area has been affected. Although Route 3 remains open, ramps to and from Passaic Avenue are expected to stay closed for most of the day to allow emergency crews to continue their work safely.
This incident highlights the risks associated with large vehicle crashes in populated areas, especially when residential spaces are involved. While the injuries reported were minor, the structural damage and ongoing hazards underscore the seriousness of the situation.
Authorities continue to monitor the site and will provide updates as the investigation progresses and decisions are made regarding the future of the damaged building.
Sources
Clifton Fire Department
Clifton Police Department
