LINDEN, Union County, N.J., Oct. 7, 2026 — Three people, including an infant, were hospitalized Tuesday afternoon, October 6, after a multi-vehicle crash on a residential stretch of Linden Avenue. Police said an out-of-control vehicle struck several cars on the 200 block of the street just before 3 p.m.
According to witness accounts relayed to local media, a police vehicle was reportedly responding to another call in the area when drivers along Linden Avenue began pulling over to let it pass. One driver who had stopped said another vehicle then pulled back onto the road and was hit head-on by an SUV, spinning out after the impact.
A couple and an infant riding in that second vehicle were reportedly critically injured and taken to University Hospital in Newark, officials said. Two other vehicles were also damaged as cars spun out during the crash. Crime scene investigators were seen photographing a car seat at the scene, and a parked vehicle nearby was left with visible blood stains, according to the report.
Police arrested the driver of the SUV believed to have caused the head-on collision, taking the person into custody at gunpoint, the report said. Tow crews later removed the damaged vehicles, and firefighters cleared debris from the roadway.
An investigation remains underway into what caused the crash, including whether speed or a police pursuit played a role, authorities said.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims.
A Common Misconception About Multi-Car Pileups
Many drivers assume that chain-reaction crashes happen mainly on highways, where speeds are highest. In reality, multi-vehicle collisions also occur frequently on local and residential streets, often triggered by a single vehicle losing control near other traffic that has slowed or stopped, as may have happened here.
Another assumption is that these crashes are rare events involving unusual circumstances, like a police pursuit or mechanical failure. But the risk is built into ordinary traffic patterns themselves: when one vehicle in a line suddenly stops, swerves, or is struck, the cars closest behind often have no time to react.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28,595 large-truck occupants were injured in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2023. The data shows that chain-reaction collisions are not confined to any one type of road or vehicle; they can involve passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks alike, in neighborhoods as much as on interstates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a chain-reaction crash?
Keeping a safe gap between your vehicle and the one ahead, staying alert to brake lights or sudden stops, and avoiding distractions all reduce the chance of being pulled into a pileup that starts elsewhere on the road.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on a public street?
Stay in your vehicle if it's safe to do so, turn on hazard lights, and watch for oncoming traffic before pulling back into the roadway. Sudden movement, like re-entering traffic too quickly, is often when secondary collisions happen.
Why does following distance matter so much in these crashes?
A larger gap gives a driver more time to brake or steer around trouble ahead. In many multi-vehicle crashes, the vehicles most severely damaged are those following too closely to stop in time.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Linden, NJ
If you're involved in or witness a multi-car crash, call 911 immediately and move to a safe location if possible. Even passengers who feel uninjured, especially infants and children, should be checked by medical personnel, since some injuries aren't immediately obvious.
It's important that you cooperate with responding officers and provide an honest account of what you saw. If your vehicle was damaged or you were a bystander, remember to take photos of the scene if it's safe to do so, and request a copy of the police report once it's filed. Follow up with your own doctor in the days after, even for minor aches, since whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries can take time to appear.
