New Milford, NJ — Two 12-year-old children were struck by a Toyota on Reichelt Road in New Milford at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, August 28, according to New Milford Police Chief Brian Clancy. One child was riding a scooter and wearing a helmet at the time of the collision; that child sustained a serious head injury and was listed in critical condition following the crash. The second child, who was on foot, suffered a minor injury. Both children are residents of New Milford.

Emergency responders transported both victims to Hackensack University Medical Center, where their parents joined them at the hospital. The driver of the Toyota, a 57-year-old New Milford man, remained at the scene of the crash and was described by police as fully cooperative with responding officers.

The incident is currently under investigation by multiple agencies, including the New Milford Police Department, the Bergen County Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, and the Crime Scene Unit. No charges have been announced, and authorities have not yet released the specific circumstances that led to the collision. This report will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Location and Infrastructure

Reichelt Road is a residential street in New Milford, a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, situated along the Hackensack River near neighboring communities including Oradell, River Edge, and Dumont. Like many residential roadways in the borough, Reichelt Road serves local vehicle traffic alongside pedestrians, cyclists, and children using scooters or bikes, particularly during afternoon hours when school lets out. Residential streets of this type typically feature posted speed limits, stop signs at intersections, and limited or no dedicated pedestrian infrastructure such as crosswalks or sidewalks in certain stretches. The involvement of two young pedestrians in this incident underscores ongoing concerns about traffic safety in residential zones, where visibility, vehicle speed, and driver awareness at intersections and driveways play a critical role in preventing collisions involving children at play or in transit.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under New Jersey law, motor vehicle operators owe a duty of reasonable care to pedestrians, cyclists, and other roadway users, particularly in residential areas where children are known to be present. New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence standard, meaning fault may be apportioned among parties, and recovery of damages can be affected accordingly. As New Jersey is a no-fault insurance state, injured parties may first pursue Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits through applicable auto insurance policies to cover medical expenses, regardless of fault, before additional claims are considered. Victims of serious injury, as defined under New Jersey's verbal threshold statute, may be entitled to pursue additional compensation for pain and suffering, medical costs, and other damages. New Jersey's statute of limitations generally allows two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit, though this and other factors can vary by circumstance. Families affected by this incident should consult available medical, insurance, and legal resources to understand their specific options.

Related Resources

• New Milford Police Department — Non-emergency line for incident inquiries and police reports
• Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Fatal Accident Investigation Unit — Ongoing crash investigation authority
• Hackensack University Medical Center — Trauma and emergency care facility treating the victims
• New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety — State resources on pedestrian and roadway safety
• New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission — Traffic Laws and Regulations (nj.gov/mvc) — Official state traffic law reference
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — Pedestrian Safety — Federal safety guidance and statistics
• New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office — Support services for injury victims and families

This article is based on confirmed statements from New Milford Police Chief Brian Clancy and available news coverage. Details may be updated as the investigation continues.