Dump Truck Collision Shuts Down Franklin Turnpike in Ridgewood
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A major traffic disruption hit the heart of Ridgewood Friday morning after a tri-axle dump truck collided with a utility pole, causing power outages and road closures near a busy Route 17 intersection.
The accident occurred shortly after 10:15 AM on January 9, 2026, in the 500 block of Franklin Turnpike. According to local reports, the driver had just finished delivering a load of rock salt to a New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) maintenance yard nearby.
The Cause: A “Raised Bed” Disaster
Investigating officers determined that the mishap was caused by a simple but costly oversight: the truck’s dump bed was still fully extended when the driver pulled onto Franklin Turnpike.
As the truck moved down the roadway, the elevated bed snagged overhead utility wires, creating enough force to “wipe out” a primary utility pole. The impact left the truck tangled in a web of live wires and snapped the pole, sending debris across the road.
Emergency Response & Road Closures
Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the collision. However, the scene required an extensive emergency response:
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Ridgewood Police & Fire/EMS: Responded immediately to secure the area and manage traffic.
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Franklin Turnpike Closure: A significant section of the road near the Route 17 Southbound entrance was shut down for several hours.
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Specialized Extrication: Crews worked carefully to disentangle the massive truck from the energized overhead lines before the vehicle could be towed.
Outage Warning: PSE&G and Cable Services
PSE&G Electric Division crews were dispatched to the scene to handle the hazardous wires and begin the difficult process of replacing the snapped pole.
Residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity were warned of:
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Power Outages: Expected throughout the afternoon and evening as crews perform the pole swap.
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Connectivity Issues: Potential disruptions to television, internet, and phone services due to damaged communication lines.
Commuter Note: Avoid Franklin Turnpike
As of Friday afternoon, motorists are advised to seek alternate routes. With Franklin Turnpike serving as a major artery for those heading toward Paramus and Route 17, delays are expected to ripple through the downtown Ridgewood area until the pole is fully restored.
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No big deal to get on 17 south, turned left on Banta, right on Racetrack, and much better on ramp to 17 south.
All this is what happens when you pick people driving trucks and equipment that have no experience. This is just a total screwup. Come on. You can’t just hand someone the case and think they know what they’re doing. It takes time