STAFF REPORT
NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
ROCKLEIGH, N.J.—The driver of a landscaping truck that slammed into a utility pole—overturning and dumping a load of mulch alongside Piermont Road in Rockleigh—was hospitalized for minor injuries and may face summonses, pending investigation, said Northvale Police Capt. Howard Ostrow.
Police are still working to determine the reason for the accident, which occurred about 12:30 p.m. on April 1, but several contributing factors are in play, Ostrow said.
Emergency responders worked on the scene for nearly 15-hours before reopening the road at 3 a.m., April 2, Ostrow said.
“It was a long tedious process,” said Ostrow, but “a swift and speedy response by the police, fire, and utilities, all working together, really made it easy for us to secure the scene, make sure everyone was safe and get the road reopened in time for rush hour.”
The truck spilled some fuel, and a Bergen County hazardous materials team was called. The fuel was absorbed into the mulch, remediating itself, which was then cleared from the scene, Ostrow said.
The utility pole broke and had to be removed, prompting a minor disruption to power service, Ostrow said.
Northvale and Norwood volunteer fire departments responded, along with the New Milford Volunteer Fire Department, which is part of the hazardous materials regional response team.
The crash occurred just south of Paris Avenue.
Northvale Police Department provides coverage to Rockleigh, a small Bergen County borough.