NORTH BERGEN, NJ – A chaotic scene unfolded at a Target store on Tonnelle Avenue Friday afternoon when a dump truck crashed through the building, leaving five people injured and prompting an extensive emergency response. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m., sending first responders rushing to the site to rescue those trapped and assess the damage.
Witnesses described the shocking moment when the truck, loaded with rocks and dirt, lost control while descending 71st Street. The truck clipped a tractor-trailer before barreling into the store, creating a massive hole in the building’s side. Surveillance footage captured the truck’s relentless path as it plowed through the structure.
Inside the store, shoppers experienced a harrowing ordeal. A woman found herself trapped in the bathroom area amidst the debris. First responders worked diligently to extricate her, and she was among the five individuals transported to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, authorities reported that none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
The truck driver was among those injured and is currently being treated. Local officials expressed relief that there were no fatalities, noting the fortunate absence of pedestrians in the truck’s path. The crash site, typically bustling with shoppers and staff, was miraculously less crowded at the time of the accident.
North Bergen Fire Chief commended the swift response of emergency personnel and highlighted the fortunate circumstances that prevented a more severe outcome. “We were very fortunate for several reasons,” he said. “The absence of pedestrians and the relatively empty area behind the courtesy desk where the truck hit played a significant role in minimizing injuries.”
As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, Tonnelle Avenue remains closed between 70th and 76th Streets. The closure is necessary for ongoing rescue operations, secondary searches, and the removal of the truck from the building.
The incident has left the local community in shock, with many expressing gratitude that the outcome was not worse. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about what led to the driver’s loss of control and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.