Tractor-Trailer Remains Lodged in Clifton Business After Route 3 Crash

Crews work to safely remove the truck after it slammed into a limousine business overnight.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of the crumpled metal and broken glass of a tractor-trailer's front end, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty, investigative nature of the incident.The aftermath of a tractor-trailer crash that left the vehicle lodged in a Clifton, New Jersey business, exposing the complex challenges of safely removing such a large commercial vehicle from a damaged structure.Clifton Today

A tractor-trailer crashed into a business in Clifton, New Jersey, just off Route 3, around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, April 13. The driver was trapped inside but extricated with non-life-threatening injuries. As of Tuesday afternoon, the truck was still lodged in the building, and officials said there is no definitive timeline for removing it safely.

Why it matters

The crash took out an entire corner of the building, and engineers are working to stabilize the structure before the truck can be removed. The Passaic Avenue exit ramp on Route 3's eastbound lanes remains closed, causing traffic disruptions in the area.

The details

The tractor-trailer appeared to have driven off the road and smashed into a limousine business. First responders extricated the driver, who was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. As of Tuesday afternoon, the truck was still lodged in the building, and Clifton Police called it "a very complex situation" with "no definitive timeframe" for pulling the truck out. Officials said the priority is ensuring the building is properly supported before the truck can be removed.

  • The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, April 13.
  • As of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, the truck was still lodged in the building.

The players

Clifton Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the crash and overseeing the removal of the tractor-trailer from the building.

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What they’re saying

“The priority is getting this right.”

— Clifton Police Department

What’s next

Officials are still investigating what caused the crash, and crews will continue working to safely remove the tractor-trailer from the building once the structure is properly stabilized.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges and complexities involved in responding to and resolving a major traffic accident that causes significant damage to a commercial property. The safety of the public and the integrity of the building are the top priorities as crews work to clear the scene.