Officer Struck in Hit-and-Run During Traffic Stop on I-80 in Saddle Brook, NJ

Saddle Brook, NJ (September 21, 2026) – A police officer was hit by a passing vehicle on Interstate 80 on Sunday, September 20, while working a traffic stop in Saddle Brook. 

The New Jersey State Police said the officer was standing outside a patrol vehicle at the time. After being struck, the driver fled.

The officer was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition, officials said. No information about the suspect's vehicle was immediately released after the hit-and-run.

Investigators are still working to determine how the crash happened. 

We wish the officer well as they receive medical care.

Why Evidence Fades Fast After a Hit-and-Run in Saddle Brook, NJ

Video is usually the first evidence to disappear after a hit-and-run. Businesses and homes near the accident scene may use cameras that record over old footage within days or weeks. Once a file is overwritten, it usually cannot be recovered.

Physical and written evidence matters too. Paint chips, vehicle parts, and debris left on the road can help identify a make or model, and witness names and phone numbers are easier to collect early than months later. 

Photos of injuries, damaged clothing or belongings, and the surrounding road can also help document what happened, along with medical records and a copy of any police report.

New Jersey generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, and that clock keeps running while evidence fades. When the driver who fled is never found, uninsured motorist coverage on a person's own auto policy may become an option, and insurers can set their own requirements for notice and documentation. 

A pedestrian accident attorney can review those policy terms, help identify which records and footage are worth pursuing, and send preservation requests before businesses or others overwrite or discard them.

If footage, photos, or witness details might matter to your claim, timing is worth discussing early. At Metro Law, we can talk with you what evidence may exist for your case and how long it may be preserved. 

You can call Metro Law at (800) 469-6476 to ask questions about the steps that may apply to your situation. We are here to assist you.