Truck crashes into Target store in North Bergen, New Jersey
NORTH BERGEN, N.J. -- Five people were injured when a dump truck and tractor trailer crashed into a busy Target store Friday in North Bergen, New Jersey, authorities said.
The truck crashed through a concrete wall and left a swimming pool-sized hole in the Target at North Bergen Commons on Tonnelle Avenue, where firefighters continue to sort through the wreckage.
The crash is still under investigation, but authorities believe it was an accident.
Dump truck going full speed downhill before crash
Officials say the truck came from the top of the hill, where there is ongoing construction. Surveillance video shows the moment the truck, loaded with dirt and rocks, starts rolling down a steep hill and picking up momentum.
The truck then traveled across two lanes of traffic before clipping a tractor trailer and crashing into the Target. Dash cam footage shows the moment of impact. Residents from the area say the truck crashed into the part of the store where customer service and the bathrooms are located.
Five people were taken to the hospital, including the driver, who had to be extricated. A woman who was in the restroom inside Target at the time was severely injured and also had to be extricated.
According to North Hudson Fire Chief David Donnarumma, it wasn't immediately clear if the driver lost control or if the truck's brakes failed.
"It seems like he tried to stop, put his brakes on, and on the road, you see the skid marks, and then he just flew down. Very scary," North Bergen resident Ana Maria Castello said.
Structural engineers are doing inspections to ensure the building is safe.
A Target spokesperson said, "We're grateful for the quick response of local authorities and our thoughts are with those who were injured. Our team is safe and our store will remain closed as we assess the damage. At this time, we would refer all additional questions to law enforcement."
The dump truck will be inspected further, Donnarumma added.
Fire chief says "luckily" more people weren't hurt
Donnarumma said it's a miracle more people weren't injured.
"We were very fortunate for several reasons. One, there was no pedestrians walking, so he didn't crash into any pedestrians. He did hit another tractor trailer, which probably slowed him down a little before he hit the Target. But if he were to hit a pedestrian vehicle, he could've killed those people as well. And then within Target, the area which he hit is right behind the courtesy desk, usually where there's a good influx of people. And fortunately for this today, nobody was in that location and got hurt," Donnarumma said.
The tractor trailer that the truck clipped helped slow the truck down before it went into the store.
"It was crazy," Teaneck resident Raymond Moore said. "What if that truck was not there? What would have happened? Would the dump truck have gone farther if that big cushion wasn't there?"
