A Mini Cooper careened off Passaic Avenue in Fairfield on Thursday afternoon, crossing the front of a local business before slamming into the building itself, according to police. The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital for further evaluation.
Fairfield Police responded to the crash just before 2 p.m., according to Cpl. David Lagan, as reported by Daily Voice. A second vehicle was involved in the crash, Lagan said, and both drivers remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Both vehicles sustained damage, and the building's exterior and landscaping were also damaged in the impact.
Police reported no other injuries beyond the minor injuries suffered by the driver who struck the building. The crash remains under investigation, and Fairfield Police have asked any witnesses to come forward with information.
A Corridor With a History of Crashes
Passaic Avenue functions as a primary commercial and transport artery in Fairfield Township, lined with retail plazas and office complexes and providing primary access to the Essex County Airport, according to the Essex County Department of Public Works. The corridor has seen a string of serious incidents over the years. In January 2023, Fairfield Police investigated a case at 125 Passaic Avenue in which an SUV struck the exterior perimeter fence of the Essex County Airport before attempting to flee; that driver was ultimately charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene, per the department's own account.
In June 2022, a Chevrolet Cavalier collided with a Mazda CX-5 on Passaic Avenue, killing a 51-year-old driver in a crash jointly investigated by Fairfield Police and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, according to Patch.
The corridor's high commercial traffic volume, connecting local business hubs and municipal borders, has made it a focus for regional safety planners.
Vehicle-into-building crashes occur across the United States.
The building's exterior and landscaping were damaged in the impact. Local officials can issue unsafe structure notices if load-bearing elements are found to be compromised.
Anyone with information about Thursday's crash is asked to contact Fairfield Police at 973-227-1400. The investigation is ongoing.
