Runaway Truck Crash Palisade Ave July 27, 1933

On the afternoon of July 27, 1933, a runaway truck lost control on East Palisade Avenue in Englewood, New Jersey, after the driver failed in two attempts to steer the vehicle off the road. Facing what police described as a “Hobson’s choice,” the driver deliberately turned the truck into a line of eight diagonally parked cars rather than risk crossing Engle Street into heavy mid-afternoon business traffic.

The collision caused extensive damage, with several cars completely demolished and total losses estimated at approximately $7,000. Three men narrowly escaped death or serious injury. The driver, an African American man named Thomas Wilson, of Brooklyn, sustained a knee injury. Louis Dattolico, also of Brooklyn, suffered severe leg lacerations and cuts to both arms. A second helper on the truck, Christian Fremgen, escaped without injury. The injured men were taken to Englewood Hospital, treated, and later returned to the scene.

Wilson was subsequently arrested and charged with reckless driving, held under $1,000 bail, and ordered to appear before Judge LeRoy Huckin in Englewood Police Court. Police Captain Jack Abrams personally directed the investigation and cleanup.

The dramatic crash drew several thousand spectators, requiring police crowd control for over six hours. Englewood firemen washed gasoline and oil from the street to prevent fire hazards while wrecked vehicles were cleared away. A full police report was completed later that night.