Over four years ago, on the rainy night of October 25, 2020, Diego Guzman Muñoz, 18, was traveling with two friends along Route 80 west in Paterson. As their car neared mile marker 58.2, it hydroplaned, veering off the road, crossing the guardrail, and crashing into a wooded area. The accident claimed Muñoz’s life and left one of the other passengers severely injured.
Around six months ago, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) reached a settlement with Muñoz’s family, who argued that the accident was preventable. Their lawsuit claimed that a buildup of dirt along the guardrail had created a berm—acting like a “ramp”—which allowed the vehicle to launch over the rail rather than deflecting back onto the road as intended. The family further alleged that this berm put the guardrail out of compliance with standards set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Despite the settlement, the family and their attorney, James Lynch of the Lynch Law Firm, are pressing the NJDOT for action, saying the dangerous condition has not yet been addressed.
“The reason we’re here today is that it’s been four years since Diego’s passing, and the problem remains unresolved,” Lynch said during a press conference on Tuesday. “The DOT knew about this issue, they settled with us for a significant amount of money, yet they haven’t taken the small steps necessary to fix it. Another family could lose a son, brother, or daughter in the same tragic way.”
Lynch explained that on that Sunday night, Muñoz and his friends were driving when heavy rain caused the car to hydroplane. “The vehicle should have hit the guardrail and bounced back onto the road, allowing everyone to walk away. Instead, Diego lost his life,” he said. Lynch added that NJDOT acknowledged the issue during settlement talks but stopped short of accepting full responsibility.
“They admitted they were aware of the problem but claimed it would be addressed eventually,” Lynch said. He visited the crash site on October 5, noting that the berm—still roughly 18 inches high—remains untouched. “That’s deeply concerning for the family and for us, and we’re here today to highlight the ongoing danger.”
Family members, including Diego’s mother, Odalia Guzman, and his older brother, Geuris Diego Guzman, remembered him as an outgoing, promising young man with a bright future and limitless potential.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.