1 Death Confirmed, Multiple Injured In Ice-Related Bergen Crashes

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Icy roadway conditions caused a number of issues in Bergen County on Wednesday morning, but none worse than a blitz of traffic accidents which have caused multiple injuries, and at least one confirmed death.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation said that all lanes on Route 3 westbound, west of the Hackensack River Bridge, were closed for a crash investigation. NorthJersey.com and CBS New York confirmed that a crash along that stretch of road resulted in at least one death.

East Rutherford Deputy Police Chief Phil Taormina said in a news release that the fatal crash was just one of the wrecks on Route 3, and drivers were told by the DOT to plan alternate routes, or follow detours.

Teaneck police said icy road conditions caused "various crashes" in Teaneck on Wednesday morning. Township Manager Dean Kazinci expanded on those statistics, noting that police officers in the township responded to 28 crashes between 6 and 10:30 a.m.

An NJ Transit bus lost control due to icy conditions in the township, striking a tree with 10 passengers onboard at Teaneck Road and Tryon Avenue, officials said.

Three Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps units responded to transport six of the passengers to Holy Name Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center with various injuries including a chipped tooth, concussion and possible broken leg. All injuries were none life-threatening.

Other notable accidents include:

• A hit-and-run against an NJ Transit bus near police headquarters. No injuries were reported, and the driver was located and cited, as his license plate was left at the scene due to the impact with the bus, officials said.
• A Teaneck Board of Education school bus was involved in a minor crash at River Road and West Englewood Avenue. Three high school age students were on-board with no injuries.
• At DeGraw Avenue and Teaneck Road there was a five car crash with no injuries.

Read more: Teaneck Police Respond To 28 Crashes Amid Icy Road Conditions

A small school bus with 10 people onboard crashed in Hackensack, NorthJersey.com reports, but no injuries were reported.

Speed limits on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway have been reduced to 45 mph due to slippery conditions as crews salt the roads, according to 511nj.org.

Icy conditions are the theme for Wednesday, but it's not the end of the winter weather. Here's what to know: More Snow Headed To NJ: See Latest Forecast