Overturned Work Van Closes Route 208 for an Hour

Fair Lawn police said Route 208 and exits near Morlot Avenue were closed for about an hour this afternoon, after a heavy-duty work van overturned and blocked the roadway at about 4 p.m.

Lt. Derek Bastinck said the roadway had opened as of a little after 5 p.m. and traffic is returning to normal.

A passenger in the vehicle owned by Pazos & Sons Refrigeration of Little Ferry, Ridgefield Park and Secaucus, suffered minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene of the accident, police said. No other injuries were reported, and no other vehicles were affected.

Police said the accident was caused by the left-rear tire blowing out on the Ford E-350 van, which caused the driver to lose control of it as it began to slide. As the van approached the road's shoulder, the rim of the tire caught on the pavement and the van turned on its side.

Because of the size of the van, a larger tow truck was needed, which took some time to negotiate its way through traffic.

Fire and rescue squad personnel also responded to the accident.