New Jersey Plagued by Onslaught of Wrong-Way Crashes

Wrong-way crashes in New Jersey are extremely destructive. Unfortunately, they are also extremely common. Within the space of a few weeks, many wrong-way, head-on collisions have occurred across the Garden State, leaving victims with severe injuries. Some of these accidents have been fatal. Why are wrong-way crashes becoming so common in New Jersey, and what can you do if you were involved in one of these collisions? How do you hold negligent drivers accountable for driving the wrong way down highways and roads? These are questions you might want to explore with an experienced car accident attorney.

Two Dead After Major Wrong-Way Crash in Totowa

In early January of 2026, ABC 7 News reported a major wrong-way crash in Totowa. The accident claimed the lives of two individuals while injuring a woman and a 2-year-old. Authorities say that the incident occurred on I-80, and it was caused by a driver traveling down the highway in the wrong direction. This 30-year-old individual was behind the wheel of a Honda sedan.

At about 2:00 AM, the Honda sedan collided head-on with an SUV. Inside this SUV were a 60-year-old driver, a 24-year-old passenger, and a toddler. The impact caused fatal injuries to the driver of the Honda sedan and the 24-year-old passenger. The remaining two occupants of the SUV survived but suffered various injuries.

First responders reported that the 60-year-old SUV driver was in serious condition after the crash, while the 2-year-old child suffered only “moderate” injuries. Paramedics transported both survivors to a local hospital. Police announced that they were investigating the crash, and it’s not clear why the Honda was traveling the wrong way down I-80.

Fatal Head-On Collision Reported on the New Jersey Turnpike

At around the same time, another head-on collision occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike. This incident also proved fatal, claiming the life of one individual while severely injuring another. Police say that at about 3:00 AM, a 44-year-old driver was heading the wrong way down the Turnpike in a pickup truck. Eventually, this wrong-way driver smashed into a sedan in a head-on collision.

After impacting the sedan, the pickup truck veered into a concrete barrier and came to a stop. The impacts claimed the life of the pickup truck driver. The 39-year-old driver of the sedan suffered serious injuries in the crash, and paramedics rushed him to the closest hospital. Police are not sure why the pickup truck driver was heading down the highway in the wrong direction, and they announced a thorough investigation into the crash.

Police Say Drunk Driver Caused Head-On Collision in Lacey

Weeks after these two incidents, another head-on collision occurred in Lacey. Police say that a driver veered across the double-yellow line and into oncoming traffic before striking an SUV. Fortunately, the SUV driver suffered only minor injuries, and no one was killed. After arriving at the crash scene, police officers quickly concluded that the wrong-way driver was intoxicated. He reportedly failed numerous sobriety tests, and the authorities obtained his blood for intoxication testing.

The local police also searched the defendant’s vehicle and found methadone, for which he did not have a valid prescription. Officers also found various drug paraphernalia. As a result of these various offenses, the defendant now faces charges of DWI, assault by auto, and various drug possession charges.

What Causes Wrong-Way Crashes in New Jersey?

Various factors can contribute to wrong-way crashes in New Jersey. Driving on the wrong side of a road or highway is a serious mistake, and one might argue that a driver would have to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol to make this kind of error. However, distraction might also cause these crashes.

When a person veers across the median/center line and into oncoming traffic, other factors might explain the resulting crash. This is a classic consequence of sleep deprivation, and a driver might cross into oncoming traffic after dozing off behind the wheel. The fact that all of the aforementioned crashes occurred during the early morning hours speaks volumes.

Can a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?

Wrong-way crashes can lead to severe injuries, major economic losses, and lasting psychological trauma. When facing these damages, you have every right to consider your legal options alongside an experienced car accident attorney in New Jersey. A discussion with one of these legal professionals may provide you with greater confidence about the pathway toward compensation. Consider expanding on this topic by scheduling a consultation with Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. today.