Family of Washington Borough bagel & deli shop thanks community after tanker truck crash injures six
WASHINGTON BOROUGH, N.J. (Warren County) — The family that owns Muheisen’s Bagel & Deli is thanking the community for its support following a tanker truck crash that damaged the business Thursday morning and sent six people to area hospitals.
In a statement shared with the Washington Borough Business Improvement District, the Muheisen family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and said they are focused on rebuilding and reopening the business.
“The Muheisen family would like to express their deepest gratitude to our incredible community for the overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers, kind words, and offers of support following the recent accident at their business. We are incredibly grateful to report that the employees, customers, and all involved did not sustain serious injuries,” the statement said.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:26 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, on Route 31 near Youmans Avenue in Washington Borough.
According to a preliminary police investigation, a blue Audi driven by a 52-year-old Hopewell man was traveling northbound on Route 31 when it reportedly changed lanes into the path of a tanker truck traveling in the same direction, resulting in a collision between the vehicles.
Following the initial collision, the tanker truck, driven by a 73-year-old Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, man, continued northbound, crossed the centerline, left the roadway and struck the front entrance of Muheisen’s Bagel & Deli.
Police said no injuries were reported among the occupants of either vehicle. However, six people who were inside the business at the time of the crash were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
In their statement, the Muheisen family said they were grateful for the compassion shown by the community during a difficult time.
“The family feels blessed by the compassion they have received and feels incredibly lucky to be part of a community that comes together so genuinely when one of its own is facing a difficult time,” the statement said.
The family also clarified that they are not seeking financial donations following the crash. Instead, their priority is rebuilding the business and returning to serving customers.
“At this time, the family is not seeking monetary donations. Their focus is on moving forward, rebuilding, and getting their business back up and running so they can get back to doing what they love: serving our community, sharing familiar smiles, and, of course, making those bagels we’ve all come to love!” the statement said.
The message also emphasized the importance of community support for locally owned businesses.
“Sometimes it takes an unexpected event to remind us just how special our small town really is. Behind every local business is a family, and behind this family is an entire community cheering them on,” the statement said.
The Washington Township Police Department responded to the crash and was assisted by the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Analysis Response Team.
The Muheisen family and Washington Borough BID concluded their statement by thanking everyone who has offered support.
“On behalf of the Muheisen family and the Washington Borough BID, thank you for reminding us what it truly means to be a community. Your kindness has not gone unnoticed, and it means more than words can express.”
No timeline for reopening the business was provided.
The crash remains under investigation.
