Patrick J. McArdle
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 24-year-old PATRICK J. McARDLE of Ridgefield Park, NJ on charges stemming from a serious motor vehicle crash. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Ridgefield Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Rella.
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at approximately 9:41 a.m., the Ridgefield Park Police Department responded to a serious crash involving two vehicles along Bergen Turnpike in Ridgefield Park, NJ. Responding officers determined that a Honda Civic, which was traveling northbound on Bergen Turnpike, crossed over the painted double-yellow line into the southbound lane of travel, striking a Toyota Corolla. Both drivers were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Accordingly, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and investigators from the Bergen County Fatal Accident Task Force were notified, responded to the scene, and initiated a joint investigation with the Ridgefield Park Police Department. The investigation revealed that PATRICK J. McARDLE intentionally drove the Honda Civic into oncoming traffic, striking the other vehicle, which was operated by its 84-year-old driver.
As a result of the investigation, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, PATRICK J. McARDLE was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1); and issued several motor vehicle summonses. McARDLE remains hospitalized in police custody with non-life-threatening injuries, pending his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Ridgefield Park Police Department, along with the Fairview Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation. Prosecutor Musella would also like to thank the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department and Ramsey Police Department, which both participate in the Bergen County Fatal Accident Task Force.
