Route 17 Gridlock: Dump Truck Overturns in Paramus, Spilling Sand Across Northbound Lanes
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, If you are navigating Bergen County this afternoon, April 22, 2026, prepare for a major headache. A dramatic rollover involving a large dump truck has completely shut down Route 17 Northbound in Paramus, leaving commuters scrambled and cleanup crews racing to clear a massive sand spill.
The Incident: What Happened on Route 17?
Shortly after 1:15 PM on Wednesday, a dump truck hauling sand overturned just north of Sears Drive. According to initial reports, the driver was forced to swerve abruptly when a passenger car cut him off in the center lane. The sudden maneuver caused the heavy vehicle to lose balance, flipping onto its side and dumping its cargo across all northbound lanes.
Quick Facts:
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Location: Route 17 North, near Sears Drive (Diverted at Midland Ave).
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Cargo: Tons of sand and a small diesel fuel leak.
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Duration: Total closure lasted over two hours, with residual delays expected through the evening rush.
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Investigation: Paramus Police are currently reviewing security footage from nearby businesses to determine if summonses will be issued to the driver who cut the truck off.
Injury Update
Fortunately, the incident was not as grave as it appeared. While the truck sustained heavy damage, the driver was not pinned inside. He was treated at the scene for a head wound and transported by ambulance to a local hospital. His injuries are reported as non-life-threatening.
Cleanup and Multi-Agency Response
The scene required a massive coordinated effort. Agencies on-site included:
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Paramus Police, Fire Department (Company #3), and EMS
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Paramus DPW & OEM
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Bergen County Sheriff’s Office
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NJDOT
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All Points Towing (Heavy-duty wrecker used to right the vehicle)
Crews worked double-time to shovel the spilled sand and mitigate a small diesel spill before the highway could safely reopen.
Traffic Diversions: How to Get Around It
Route 17 Northbound closed at Midland Avenue, and traffic was diverted into local Paramus business districts, causing secondary gridlock.
Top Alternate Routes:
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Garden State Parkway North: Your best bet to bypass the entire Paramus stretch.
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Route 4 to Forest Avenue: Use local backroads like Forest Ave or Pascack Road if you are trying to reach Ridgewood, Ho-Ho-Kus, or Waldwick.
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Saddle River Road: A reliable north-south alternative for those familiar with the area.
Pro-Tip: Check Waze or Google Maps before you leave your driveway. The residual “rubbernecking” delays on Route 17 Southbound are also starting to build.
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Tags:
Traffic AlertParamus NewsBergen CountyRoute 17Breaking NewsNJ CommuteBreaking News NJ
Dump trucks on Route 17 drive at excessive speeds.
Nobody gets cut off doing the speed limit.
Okay mario