Tow Truck Crashes Through Two Businesses on Main Street

An out of control tow truck careened down Eagle Rock Avenue and plowed through the outer wall of a store and then through an adjacent store at the intersection of Main and Washington streets at around 2 p.m. Wednesday.  

Tory Corner was closed and cordoned off with yellow police tape after a tow truck drove through the outside wall of Machado’s Tailors, and then continued to drive through the business into Financial Services LLC right next door.

Two people were treated for minor injuries, according to the West Orange Police Department. The tow truck driver and someone from inside one of the businesses were taken to Saint Barnabas Medical Center to be treated for their injuries. 

Sean Sims, who owns Friendware Computers, at 296 Main St., across the street from the accident, said he was inside his store when the accident occurred.

“It sounded like a bomb,” said Sims. “We heard a loud crash. ... It sounded like [the tow truck] was trying to hit the breaks.”

Silverio and Julia Machado, owners of Machado’s Tailors for 13 years, were inside their store when the truck crashed through it. The two, both of whom did not appear injured but visibly shaken, wiped off debris and dust from their clothing as they looked at the damaged store front. 

“Everything came fast,” said Silverio Machado. 

There were three fire engines and several police cars around the area, in addition to a helicopter. The street was littered with debris and glass. Residents and business owners flocked to the scene and took pictures with their phones. 

During the cleanup, the crowd began to cheer as police pulled out a pet canary from Machado’s Tailors. The bird was still in its cage and unharmed. 

The tow truck "apparently lost its breaks" as it drove down Eagle Rock Avenue, according to a West Orange Police Department spokesperson.

As the tow truck barreled down the long hill, it tore off one of the side-mirrors of a United States Postal Service truck. The tow truck then hit two parked vehicles before it drove thorough the two businesses. 

A mini-van, which was involved in the accident, sustained significant front- and rear-end damage and was seen on Main Street in front of the two businesses. 

Police evacuated the building over concerns of its structure integrity. 

This story is breaking. More information will be posted when it becomes available.