First responders nearly struck four times at I-80 crash scene in Warren County, fire officials say
ALLAMUCHY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) —The Allamuchy Volunteer Fire Department said first responders were nearly struck four times while working a tractor-trailer rollover on Interstate 80 during a blizzard, despite active travel restrictions and a commercial vehicle ban.
The department said crews were dispatched at 11:33 p.m. Sunday to a rollover crash on I-80 eastbound at mile marker 22.2.
What officials described as a routine emergency response became what they called one of the most dangerous operating environments crews have faced in recent memory because of passing traffic.
“Despite active New Jersey travel restrictions. Despite a commercial vehicle ban. Despite multiple marked police units, fire apparatus, an ambulance, tow trucks, and emergency lighting visible from a distance. Vehicles kept coming. Cars kept pushing through. Tractor-trailers kept rolling past,” the department said in a public statement.
Standing on the highway during the response were New Jersey State Police troopers, five tow operators, two hazardous materials specialists, five firefighters and three EMTs, the department said.
“Real people. Someone’s family. Someone’s parent. Someone trying to do their job and go home afterward,” the statement said.
The department said responders were nearly struck four separate times by passing vehicles. Conditions became so hazardous that crews ultimately cleared the scene and left the wrecked vehicle in place because it was too dangerous to continue operations.
“Let that sink in — emergency responders had to walk away from an active crash because drivers made the highway more dangerous than the incident itself,” the department said.
Officials emphasized that travel restrictions and commercial vehicle bans are not optional.
“They mean the roads are unsafe. They mean emergency crews cannot work safely. They mean STAY OFF THE ROAD,” the department said.
The department urged motorists to slow down, respect emergency scenes and remain off the roads when restrictions are in place.
“Because the next time someone ignores it, the incident we’re posting about might not be about the unsafe scene. It might be about the life of one of the responders you hit,” the statement said.
