A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and went into cardiac arrest on Route 17 in Paramus during Monday's evening rush hour, prompting authorities to shut down all southbound lanes near the Route 4 interchange. The closure left drivers stuck in heavy backups as police investigated the scene.
The closure was reported at 5:33 p.m., according to Daily Voice, which cited 511NJ in detailing how all southbound lanes of Route 17 were shut down following the crash near Route 4. Paramus police issued an alert confirming that Route 17 southbound was closed south of Century Road, and officers said there was no access from Route 4 to Route 17 southbound for an undetermined amount of time while the investigation continued near the interchange.
Rush-Hour Gridlock Spreads Across Paramus
A traffic map examined amid the closure showed heavy congestion along Route 17 and surrounding roads near the Route 4 interchange, the same report noted, as commuters searching for detours ran into snarled side streets throughout the area. The crash and resulting shutdown struck right as the evening commute was at its peak, compounding delays for drivers trying to get home.
The woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Route 17 Has Seen Serious Crashes Before
Monday's incident is not the first time this stretch of Route 17 has turned dangerous. Back in April, a two-vehicle crash occurred on the southbound lanes near the Ridgewood Avenue exit in Paramus, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. In that case, prosecutors said Aiden C. Perez was driving a 2015 Audi at a high rate of speed when he lost control while changing lanes and collided with a 2019 Jeep, leaving the Jeep's female driver with serious injuries while Perez suffered only minor ones.
Perez was arrested in late May and charged with second-degree aggravated assault, fourth-degree assault by auto, and related motor-vehicle offenses, the prosecutor's office said. Officials emphasized that the charges are merely accusations and that Perez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
As of Monday evening, the cause of the current crash, whether anyone faces charges, and whether the Route 17 closure has been lifted had not been detailed by authorities. This remains a developing story, and Hoodline will update as more information becomes available.
