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Tractor-Trailer Driver, 78, Hospitalized After Rig Rams Route 4 Guardrail

UPDATE: A 78-year-old Paterson resident was hospitalized after his tractor-trailer slammed into and onto a guardrail at the River Edge exit on eastbound Route 4 overnight, authorities said.

The rig hit the metal railing on eastbound Route 4 just off Main Street shortly after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, March 30, River Edge Police Chief Michael Walker said.

The rig hit the metal railing on eastbound Route 4 just off Main Street shortly after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, March 30, River Edge Police Chief Michael Walker said.

 Photo Credit: Brian Groschel/Travis Morrison
The tractor slammed into the metal guardrail at the River Edge exit on eastbound Route 4 around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, March 30.

The tractor slammed into the metal guardrail at the River Edge exit on eastbound Route 4 around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, March 30.

 Photo Credit: HACKENSACK FD
A lane remained open during much of the operation.

A lane remained open during much of the operation.

 Photo Credit: Brian Groschel/Travis Morrison
The 78-year-old tractor-trailer driver was taken to HUMC with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening after the crash on eastbound Route 4.

The 78-year-old tractor-trailer driver was taken to HUMC with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening after the crash on eastbound Route 4.

 Photo Credit: Brian Groschel/Travis Morrison
The rig slid up the railing on the eastbound side of Route 4 in River Edge around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, March 30.

The rig slid up the railing on the eastbound side of Route 4 in River Edge around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, March 30.

 Photo Credit: HACKENSACK FD
Brookside Towing removed the rig with a heavy-duty wrecker.

Brookside Towing removed the rig with a heavy-duty wrecker.

 Photo Credit: Brian Groschel/Travis Morrison
Jerry DeMarco

The rig hit the metal railing on the highway's eastbound side just off Main Street shortly after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, March 30, Police Chief Michael Walker said.

The driver was initially tended to by borough police and firefighters from River Edge and Hackensack.

He was then taken to Hackensack University Medical Center with injuries that the chief said weren't considered life-threatening.

A heavy-duty wrecker from Brookside Towing removed the rig, which apparently had been leased out of Middlesex County.

The exit was obviously closed, and a single lane of Route 4 remained open for a good deal of the time. 

The roadway was completely reopened around 4:30 a.m., three hours or so after the crash.

The cause of the crash was being investigated.

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