Car Fishtails, Smashes Into Barrier In Ridgewood: Police

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A 26-year-old Montvale man was issued a careless driving summons after his car began to fishtail whilst accelerating, and smashed into the guardrail, fracturing the barrier, on East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke said.

The man's vehicle ended up partially over the edge of the bridge after it had slammed into the railing, Luthcke said.

He had claimed a vehicle in front of him turned, causing his vehicle to downshift, thereby causing him to hydroplane — the road was wet from an earlier rain — and lose control of the vehicle. His vehicle, a Ford Mustang, then hit the guardrail near the brook, police said.

No one was hurt in the Sunday afternoon crash, police said.

But the man was issued a summons, which has a pending court date. Barriers were subsequently placed in the area to ensure the walkway remained safe, police said.