Commuter Chaos: NJ Transit Train Slams into Car at Montvale Station

Pascack Valley Line train strikes a vehicle at a busy crossing in Montvale

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

MONTVALE, NJ — The Tuesday evening rush hour turned into a logistical nightmare for North Jersey commuters after a Pascack Valley Line train struck a vehicle at a busy crossing in Bergen County.

The accident occurred on December 23, 2025, right as the afternoon commute was beginning to peak. While the collision caused significant wreckage and heavy rail delays, officials are calling the outcome a “miracle” as no lives were lost.

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🚂 The Collision at East Grand Avenue

According to NJ Transit spokesman Jim Smith, the accident happened at approximately 2:44 p.m. at the East Grand Avenue crossing, immediately adjacent to the Montvale Station.

Pascack Valley Line train 1617, which had departed Hoboken at 1:48 p.m., was just seconds away from its scheduled stop in Montvale when it collided with a passenger vehicle on the tracks.

The Injury Report:

• Passengers & Crew: Approximately 30 people were on board the train at the time of impact. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among the riders or NJ Transit staff.

• The Driver: In an incredibly fortunate turn of events, the driver of the car involved in the strike also escaped uninjured.

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🚦 Major Delays and Cancellations

While everyone walked away safely, the Pascack Valley Line was crippled for the remainder of the evening. NJ Transit Police remained on the scene for several hours investigating the cause of the strike, leading to a cascade of service interruptions:

• Cancellations: The train scheduled to arrive in Spring Valley, N.Y. at 3:04 p.m. was immediately canceled.

• Backups: Hoboken-bound trains (scheduled for 4:10 p.m. and 5:10 p.m.) faced delays exceeding 35 minutes.

• Bus Taps: Stranded passengers on the involved train were transferred to emergency shuttle buses to complete their trips.

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🔍 Investigation Ongoing

NJ Transit police are currently reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to determine why the vehicle was on the tracks as the crossing gates were active.

East Grand Avenue is a high-traffic area, and local residents have long noted the proximity of the crossing to the station platform can lead to congestion. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of track safety, especially during the busy holiday week.

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Incident Summary: Dec 30, 2025

Detail	Status
Train Line	Pascack Valley Line (Train 1617)
Location	East Grand Ave, Montvale, NJ
Injuries	Zero Reported
Commuter Impact	35+ Minute Delays / Service Cancellations
Status	Investigation Ongoing by NJ Transit Police

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