Several drivers were trapped inside their cars in the American Dream mall in New Jersey on Monday night after a series of accidents occurred in the parking lot, prompting many customers to abandon their vehicles amid the dropping temperatures.
Dozens of cars were seen in standstill traffic inside the mall’s parking lot on Monday evening, blocking many vehicles from leaving the premises, according to video footage obtained by the Lakewood Scoop. Some drivers remained stuck inside their vehicles for hours, with others leaving their cars altogether amid the chaos.
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A reader tells us he’s sitting in the @americandream parking lot for about 90 minutes trying to exit the mall.
Sources tell TLS, there are multiple accidents within the mall parking lot, and a security guard at the mall says there is an issue with the gates as well. (CW) pic.twitter.com/AhaXrNWCTx
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) December 26, 2022
It’s not entirely clear what caused the traffic buildup at the mall, but a security guard told the outlet there was a problem with the gate at the parking lot’s exit.
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The mayhem comes as temperatures continue to drop across the East Coast, particularly in the New Jersey area. It was 26 degrees Fahrenheit in East Rutherford, where the mall is located, at around 6:30 p.m., with temperatures expected to continue falling throughout the night.
The Washington Examiner contacted an American Dream spokesperson but did not receive a response.