Pedestrian Struck, Killed Trying To Cross Route 17

UPDATE: A gruesome scene had some responders looking on in shock after a pedestrian was struck and killed before dawn Saturday on Route 17 in Paramus. Both sides of the highway remained closed for several hours.

The victim tried to cross Route 17 near the Linwood Avenue in Paramus when he was struck, authorities said.
Photo Credit: *Boyd A. Loving*

It was a gruesome scene.
Photo Credit: *Boyd A. Loving*

Jerry DeMarco

10/10/2020 7:00 a.m.

The victim was a homeless man who regularly stopped in at a gas station convenience store on the northbound side looking for food, authorities said.

He tried to cross the highway carrying some breakfast in the dark when he was struck and thrown onto the southbound side shortly before 6 a.m.

Other vehicles then struck him on that side, they said.

All of the drivers pulled over and remained at the scene, authorities said.

The northbound highway was closed at Ridgewood Avenue and eventually reopened at 12:15 p.m.

The southbound side was reopened at Paramus Road at 12:40 p.m.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Fatal Accident Investigations Unit joined Paramus police at the scene, as did the Bergen County Sheriff's Bureau of Criminal Identification, which collected evidence.

Some responders said it was the worst pedestrian crash they'd ever seen.

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