Clifton, NJ (August 16, 2026) – A Clifton police officer and a passenger were injured overnight on Sunday, August 16, after an alleged drunk, unlicensed driver slammed into two stationary police cruisers along Route 21. Clifton Police Department officers and emergency crews responded to the northbound lanes near River Road shortly before 4:00 a.m.
According to police officials, an officer was inside one of the police cruisers when a 2024 Acura MDX struck the emergency vehicles. The impact caused one cruiser and the Acura to burst into flames, forcing a second officer to dive over a concrete barrier to avoid being hit.
Emergency medical personnel transported the injured police officer to a local hospital for treatment of a head injury before he was subsequently released. A passenger in the suspect vehicle was also treated at a local hospital for a shoulder injury.
Law enforcement officers arrested the driver after he was treated for minor injuries. Authorities charged him with assault by auto and issued summonses for driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, careless driving, and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Clifton police are continuing their investigation into the crash.
We hope everyone affected by this wreck makes a full recovery.
If you were injured in a car accident in Clifton, you can contact our personal injury lawyers at (908) 241-3445. We will explain your options and help you avoid mistakes that could weaken your claim.
Note: This post has been prepared using publicly available secondary sources. The facts surrounding the incident have not been independently confirmed. If you believe any portion of this report contains inaccurate or outdated information, please contact The Law Offices of Sander Budanitsky, L.L.C. so we can promptly review and update the content to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor does it constitute a request for legal representation. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please seek immediate medical care.
Any images included in this post are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene.
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