Mahwah Bus Crash: Coach USA Vehicle Ripped Open After Striking NJ Transit Bridge
file photo Coach USA
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
MAHWAH, NJ — A dramatic collision on the morning of Wednesday, March 18, 2026, left a Coach USA bus severely damaged and a driver hospitalized after the vehicle struck a low-clearance NJ Transit rail bridge near the New York border.
The accident occurred at the busy intersection of Ramapo Valley Road and Franklin Turnpike around 8:45 a.m. A Mahwah police officer witnessed the impact firsthand as the bus attempted to pass under the bridge, according to Mahwah Police Captain Michael Blondin.
Driver Hospitalized, No Passengers Aboard
Authorities confirmed that the bus was empty of passengers at the time of the crash. However, the force of the impact caused significant damage to the vehicle, destroying the windshield and leaving a gaping hole in the roof.
The Mahwah Fire Department and Mahwah EMS responded immediately to the scene:
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Driver Status: The driver suffered a head injury during the collision.
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Treatment: After being extricated from the bus, the driver was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY, with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Rail Service and Traffic Impact
Despite the severe damage to the bus, the structural integrity of the NJ Transit bridge remained intact. NJ Transit employees were on-site quickly to clear debris from the tracks and inspect the overpass.
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Train Service: Officials confirmed there were no disruptions to rail service following the inspection.
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Road Closures: While the intersection was briefly closed to allow for a heavy-duty tow of the wreckage, the roadway was fully reopened by 11:20 a.m.
A Familiar Hazard?
Bridge strikes involving commercial vehicles remain a significant concern for local law enforcement. Drivers are reminded to strictly adhere to posted height clearances, particularly at older rail crossings along the NJ/NY border.
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