>The Fly has received numerous reports of a fatal motor vehicle accident that took place in front of The Valley Hospital on Friday morning. Reportedly, two Valley employees were involved; one was killed.
Members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Team and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Identification were observed at the scene taking measurements and photographs.
There has been no newspaper account of the incident thus far. Does anyone have further details? Is The Valley attempting to keep this incident under wraps so residents don’t bring it up at future hearings related to the hospital’s building expansion plans?
>heard that a custodian from ben franklin was going to work and was killed by the valley employee. looks like the young vibrant custodian was on his motorcycle and the valley employee coming out of the hospital cut him off…. he was reportedly loved by bf staff and students… call over to the bd of ed for more details… another reason to stop death valley…. to much traffic…. to much traffic… accidents happen because of valley all the time and now as predicted a death…. stop death vally..
>PJ- many do believe that the hospital is trying to keep this under wraps- there were no reports in either of the saturday or sunday papers- that is unheard of in this village. The man kiled was a beloved custodian of Ben Franklin Middle school- he was going to work on his new motorcycle when the tragedy occured. He was struck by someone (undetermined who) comming out of Valley hospital at the meadowbrook entrance on Van Dien. Several of his colleagues were seen comming down Van Dien to find him hours later. He was not treated at Valley (they are not Trauma level 1) but at Hackensack. The fact that this hoppital cannot control the enormous amount of traffic leaving its owm premise is outrageous. Two people have now died as a result of the fact that Valley has grown too large for this village. If ANYTHING should stop the Valley expansion THIS MAN’S LOSS OF LIFE SHOULD BE IT! He was loved by the kids at BF- may he rest in peace and may his death pose a protective warning so that no more adults or children have to lose their lives to the out of control traffic at Valley.
>Many people on the west side of town have said they don’t want o get involved with stopvalley.com because the hospital proposal “doesn’t affect them”. This accident proves that this issue affects every person living in Ridgewood- east or west side. We all need to come together to support EACH OTHER. West side kids walk on both sides of the tracks- will it take a motorist or valley employee exiting valley and hitting a west side kid to make peopl realize this? NOW is the time- call the board- speak your mind and tell them NO WAY to ANY PART of Valley’s proposal.
>The presence of the fatal accident team doesn’t confirm a death. They investigate any accident in which a fatality MAY occur.
Secondly, to blame Valley for an accident is ridiculous. There are accidents at RHS, should we close the High School because they are a hazard?
>Wow, that is tragic & scary. BF custodian this time…could be a BF student the next time
I agree, let’s stop Death Valley.
>I just contacted Susan DeSantis (an editor) at The Record asking why this accident wasn’t covered. She said if they knew about it, it would have been covered. She is now looking into it.
>For post 9:08
Your reading comprehension must be reflective of your cognitive ability.
The man was killed… The accident was therefore fatal. Please do not compare apples to oranges…. (simply put) valley traffic has nothing to do with RHS. There is no comparison. But then again for those few death valley expansion proponents… the best defense is offense.
>I agree…it is LUDICROUS to connect this accident to Valley’s size or expansion. Motorcycle accidents happen everywhere. To blame the facility that some possibly reckless driver was exiting from is silly. You are grasping. I drive down Van Dien EVERY DAY and I would NOT call the traffic excessive.
Six or so years ago two BF students were hit while crossing the BF driveway on Van Dien. They were hit by a mother who either wasn’t paying attention or who was a victim of “sun glare” (depending on who you believe). Nobody would claim that parents should not be allowed to drive their kids to school because of this accident, would they? Nobody would blame the school, would they?
I am so sorry to hear about this man’s death. He was very helpful and always had a smile.
>One more thing — if this was a Valley employee involved in the accident, then that risk would actually be removed by the hospital’s expansion…employees will park off-site and take a shuttle to work, thereby reducing the risk of employee-involved-accidents on Van Dien. Just a thought 😉
>i recall a fatal on glen ave a few years ago. Lets close glen ave. that makes as much sense as closing valley ! How about…maybe a helicopter pad @ valley so all the people that get injured there can be flown to hackensack. As far as the NEWS…all the paper has to do is go READ the police log. Its a public record. (They did that plenty in the past when they claimed certain things were being hushed up!)
>OK, people, ratchet down the rumor mill a bit…A friend just called and spoke to the secretary at BF, who has spoken to Ridgewood police. The custodian WAS NOT KILLED. He is in Hackensack Hospital, in critical condition, with two broken legs and head trauma. No further details at this time. Jut wanted to clarify.
>Death Valley couldn’t take care of this poor guy’s injuries that he sustained outside Valley Hospital. Just another example of why The Valley Hospital will NEVER be able to compete with Hackensack Hospital even with their constant outward and upward expansions.
“STOP DEATH VALLEY” is right!
>Maybe if Valley expands/renews they could get the necessary classification as a Trauma level 1. Did you ever think of that? (just for argument sake — I don’t think Valley has any plan to become level 1 trauma)
And besides, every hospital can’t specialize in everything. It is extremely difficult to be Trauma level 1…you are talking out of both sides of your mouth — criticizing Valley for not being good enough and yet not wanting them to be able to do the things that need to become better. Sheesh.
>People comparing this to other scenarios are SICK- this man was driving down Van Dien on his bike and was struck by someone exiting Valley- VALLEY needs to realize their traffic situation is OUT OF CONTROL! It is TOO MUCH for this Village! As far a I know no one was ever hit or killed exiting RHS and the kid hit by sun glare driver was on the west side on Godwin- learn the facts people. To say that this incident does not speak volumes to the issues Valley brings to this town everyday is ridiculous. Whether this man was killed or survived it still stand that Valley is a community hospital that is not now nor will it ever be equipped to deal with this kind of trauma. Get real people- its for the minor ER and for Labor& delivery. To spend over $750 million dollars, add parking and build huge new buildings in this village is CRAZY. End of story.
>They do nt need to be a huge TL1 because they are a SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL!!! Identity crisis- I think so! Stop Valley!
>What plant do you live on 10:09am because I too am on Van Dien EVERYDAY and the traffic is awful- especially at shift change for the hospital and when school lets out. Th hospital expansion proposal will make it worse and it proposes to WIDEN THE ROADS by taking pedestrian easements- would you want that on your front yard!? TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND NOISE- STOPVALLEY NOW!
>Valley needs to know its limitations. We have outstanding NYC hospitals a short drive from Valley (Columbia, NYU, Hospital for Special Surgery, etc.) that we really don’t need Valley to try to compete with them.
Valley is in a zoned residential area and, therefore, should remain a small community hospital. Over the years, we have gone to NYC for our family’s surgery needs. All of our friends who needed surgery went to Hackensack or into NYC. It’s not a big deal.
>I live on the “plant” earth…and I drive Van Dien every day to drop off and pick up my kids at BF. The traffic is NO MORE excessive than the traffic in front of Somerville School every single day at the same time. I only know what I see every day.
And to the person who corrected the “sun glare” story — you must be talking about something else. Because I personally know the girls who were hit in front of BF. Just FYI.
I still think it’s ridiculous to say things like “Valley’s traffic situation is OUT OF CONTROL!” Honestly. Chill out, pal. Part of Valley’s plan is to ease traffic through off-site employee parking. That would help immensely.
>Folks… I am AGAINST the expansion at Valley. I dont live near there, but I want to support the residents who do. Ok?
BUT…. would you all be making comments after this accident WITHOUT the proposed expansion plans? Its sad and a bit sick to tie this accident into some grand conspiracy theory. If you were out complaining and protesting the increased traffic and danger to the community and kids at BF over the past few years? More power to you… you get a free pass. Otherwise… keep the issues clear: Valley is asking for more than the neighborhood should be forced to bear. Valley is willing to give NOTHING to its neighbors and the taxpayers in return. Valley is pressuring our weak local government with their large checkbook.
Dont try to take advantage of the situation… some poor guy got badly hurt. Dont mix and match the conspiracy theory.
>This accident really has nothing to do with Valley Hospital. The employee wasn’t exiting the driveway. The accident took place on Van Dien. Everybody on here is simply speculating as to what caused the accident. I suspect that none of the people who have made comments here are involved with the investigation of this accident. Was there high speed involved, a sun glare, was it dark? These are all things that one can only speculate or assume if they are not involved. Therefore, don’t use this unfortunate occurrence as a scapegoat for your dislike of Valley Hospital. Take Valley out and put a row of houses in, this accident could have occurred just the same. Anybody driving down Van Dien could have been involved.
>Hey….there was a Fatal involving a motorcycle a few years ago on Grove St. Better close that road to.
>either way looks like whomever was exiting the hospital did not have the right away….If as you state there were a row of houses no doubt the accident would not have happened. Valley has gotten to big. Just wait to see the traffic once they expand linwood at pleasant an north van dien and to that person who goes by the hospital everyday you have no idea. you are on another “planet”. those neighbors and we taxpayers should not have to continue to pay for valley. They use our municipal services and we get nothing. Ask the fire department how many false and scheduled alarms they must answer every month?
>are you kidding me? the employee was exiting the hospital parking lot and the custodian was going to work… what sun glare? last i looked the sun rises in the east and sets in the west…. the driver of the car was going west and the custodian was going north. thank god there were no children going to school. the accident could have been much worse.
>look here…..I was riding my bicycle today when a valley hospital employee (wearing burgandy scrubs, overweight and smoking and cig) came flying out of the exit. I gave her a dirty look and she realized that she blew off the stop sign when her primary goal was to get into the traffic pattern before the light changes – overlooking me, of course…..I am an experienced rider, and reacted quicky…..I cannot say that the hundreds of little kids that must pass all three exits (one on Linwood and two on Van Dien) when school is in session will be as lucky. Valley Hospital is the real Cancer of Ridgewood.
>Thank goodness then, that crossing guards are provided to avoid such accidents during the school year. Who pays for those? Valley or the town? I don’t honestly know…
>Valley pays for the crossing guards at the entrances to their property.
>Hey …did anyone take the time to think that the custodiam was speeding??? Just a small hint to all of you!!
>they (Valley) give nothing for nothing
>totally not asking this as a wind up…ok? So dont start screaming.
Does Valley pay taxes to the Village… property, income, etc.. ?
>speed huh. the custodian had the right of way… people coming out of valley usually (like many) stop and roll on by the stop sign. either way conversation point in fact that hospital is in a residential area and the zone should not be changed…..period.
>1:47pm- no, none
>Wake up and smell the coffee!! I live 2 blocks away from Valley and the traffic is out of control. Whether you live by Valley or not , all should be opposed to this expansion. It is bad enough that the children in this area are exposed to the high amount of traffic now. Imagine what it will be like if this goes through! Think of the children whether or not this affects your child or not!!
>I guess we will just have to agree to diagree. I also live approx. 2 blocks from Valley (neighbors?) and I would NOT describe the traffic as “out of control.” Is it busy during school drop-off/pick-up hours? Yes. All down Van Dien going toward RHS, too. And just as busy around Somerville when I drove my kids there, too. No different. It’s just my opinion, and your opinion is yours and obviously “out of control” is a subjective matter of opinion.
I am “thinking of the children.” I want our children to have the best hospital possible. To me, it’s worth a few years’ inconvenience.
>i agree. we need valley. as for traffic…just take a ride by willard or ridge when all the mommies are lined up with their suburbans and expeditions…THAT blocks the road, creates traffic, but I dont hear any WHINING about that. Remember..you whiners BOUGHT near the hospital, just as those who bought near the train tracks, RT 17, etc…hence the LOWER price than those properties that did not abut an ‘attractive nusance’
>He was Speeding on his nice motorcycle!! S P E E D I N G
>12:52 AM You’re thinking of your children .. you want the best hospital possible? And you choose Valley? When our children needed topnotch care we used the NYC doctors and hospitals because we wanted the BEST for our children. No matter how much Valley expands, it will never be able to compete with the NYC hospitals. Look at the U.S. News & World Report this week for its rankings of the top hospitals in the country. There is nary a comment about Valley Hospital.
Also, if you want the best for your children you need to get some sleep instead of staying up after midnight blogging.
>He had the right of way… and like many may have been going faster than he should but the employee should have stopped at the sign….. yes,if he was speeding he should (as all who are going faster than the speed limit) have been issued a ticket; but to assume it was his fault when he had the right of way is wrong. i do not live on van dien but have lived here long enough to know that this expansion is wrong. just as i knew it was wrong to build condos across from town hall many years ago. your agenda is not for “our children”.
do not compare the school traffic. you sound bitter. be honest. you drop off your children so possibly you too are afraid of the traffic?
>BOTTOM LINE IT IS A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED!
>8:55 AM — YOUR ARE SO RIGHT! THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND VALLEY HOSPITAL SHOULD NO LONGER BE ALLOWED TO EXPAND UP, DOWN, OR SIDEWAYS! HO– USES WERE IN THAT AREA LONG BEFORE DEATH VALLEY!
>right on 8:55 we bought in a residential area. not a hospital zone and that is the issue to be addressed.
>Valley should take your homes by eminant domain…for the good of the majority..not the vocal minority…Its a PRE-EXISTING non-conforming use of the property. Shame on you for buying there and expecting it to go away…Using your logic, lets ‘un-widen’ route 17 and make it a horse-cart path to appease those who bought the CHEAP houses next to it. same kinda logic. valley aint going anywhere..(PS i dont drop my children off. they are competent to WALK)
>Good grief 11:00 AM — take a nap, you’re not only cranky, you’re a wee bit delusional.
Over the years, everytime Valley expanded the Valley officials reassured the public that that was it. Not so. They lie. You won’t be singing Valley’s praises should your child who is competent to WALK gets hit by an exiting car. You’ll be calling 1-800-LAWYERS for sure.
>This is the most ridiculous exchange i have ever heard. Figure this…
Valley hospital is right in our back yards, true. It does, however, lack something that would benefit the area greatly…
How about instead of opposing the expansion, lets ask Valley to include in their expansion the creation of a Trauma Center. As of now, if you are in Ridgewood and injured seriously, you won’t be taken to the hospital that is 2-3 minutes away right in town, you will go 15-25 minutes away to either Hackensack, St. Joes in Paterson, or even Good Samaritan in NY.
That is rediculous!!!!! This man died RIGHT IN FRONT OF A HOSPITAL THAT IS NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE HIS INJURIES.
So maybe Valley DOES need to expand to better meet the needs of the community. If they are unwilling to make such a necessary upgrade as building a trauma center, then they do need to be stopped.
The biggest opposition from Valley will be because Trauma patients and ER patients don’t make them any money. They probably won’t admit it, but its the way it is.
>You are all morons. This blog is terrible.
>1:09 PM — What man died? I thought the guy in the accident on Friday broke two legs and had head injuries and was still alive at Hackensack.
1:13 PM — If this blog is so terrible then why are you on it?
>1:09
I’m coming late to this party. Just read the posts. You find this in most places. I don’t know if NYU has built a trauma center over the past few years. I do remember cases were individuals were hurt (some seriously) and had to be transported to Bellevue even though they were right in front of NYU.
>just say that valley buys up the houses along its perimeter. that only puts the next perimeter on the line…. valley is like a caner and maybe in a few years those who thought they were safe will now be in the line of fire… there goes pleasant, fairway, bogert etc. Valley must not get this new designation.
>the custodian died….. that is what the teachers at bf were told….and if you saw the accidents that happen there all the time you would not believe it…. a few months ago a person coming out of the hospital hit a telephone pole and it had to be repaired… valley must be stopped….
>to the person who lives within two blocks of valley. watch out you are next… hope you plan on selling your house before the next expansion. they cannot expand towards the cemetary, ha…. there goes fairway, and john etc…..can’t you see they must be stopped now….. and by the way reality is that those turning lanes on pleasant and linwood are for cars going your way….
>Valley needs to buy 2:09 PM’s house, bulldoze it down and put in a peace garden.