HACKENSACK, Bergen County, N.J., Sept. 29, 2026 — A pedestrian was hospitalized in critical condition early Sunday morning, September 27, after being struck by a vehicle near Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Hackensack. The person's current condition has not been released.
Hackensack Police said officers and emergency crews responded to the scene shortly before 1 a.m. and found the pedestrian in traumatic arrest. Emergency personnel treated the person at the scene before further medical response, according to the department.
The pedestrian's status has not been made public. Local police asked the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Fatal Accident Investigation Squad to assist with the inquiry, a step that typically signals the severity of the injuries involved.
The circumstances of the crash, including what led up to the impact, remain under investigation. No further details have been released.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
Why Vehicle-Pedestrian Crashes Cause Such Severe Harm
A crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian is fundamentally a mismatch in mass. A sedan can weigh 3,000 pounds or more; a person weighs a small fraction of that. When the two collide, nearly all of the energy transfers to the lighter object, and a pedestrian has no frame, airbag, or crumple zone to absorb it.
Speed matters as much as weight. A vehicle traveling 20 mph delivers far less force than one traveling 40 mph, since crash energy rises with the square of speed, not in a straight line. That is part of why intersections and crosswalks, where turning vehicles and pedestrians cross paths at close range and often with limited visibility, concentrate so much of this risk. Streetlights, parked cars, and turning movements can all narrow the window a driver has to see someone and stop.
Vehicle safety features like airbags and seat belts are built for the people inside the car. They do nothing for someone standing outside it. Some newer vehicles include pedestrian-detection systems or automatic braking, but these are not universal, and none of them can fully offset a failure to see someone in time.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 84 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
In New Jersey, pedestrians generally have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks once they have stepped into the roadway, though both drivers and pedestrians share responsibility for watching traffic conditions.
What can drivers do to avoid hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down near intersections, checking crosswalks before turning, and avoiding distractions are basic habits that give a driver more time to react to someone entering the roadway.
What injuries are most common in these crashes?
Pedestrians struck by vehicles often suffer broken bones, head injuries, and internal injuries, since there is no structure protecting them from direct impact.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Hackensack, NJ
If you're involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash, you should call 911 immediately so medical help can reach the scene quickly. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is important, since some injuries such as internal bleeding or concussions are not obvious right away.
If you are able, note details like the time, location, and any vehicles or witnesses nearby, as this information can matter later. Cooperating with police and following up with your own doctor in the days after the crash helps make sure any injury is properly documented and treated.
