Authorities originally thought the 20-something driver from Paterson was turning left onto eastbound Northwood Way from northbound Bergen Boulevard when her compact Honda slammed into the other vehicle.
That changed after an inspection of her car and interviews with other drivers, Police Chief Benjamin Ramos told Daily Voice.
"It's preliminary, but investigators noticed that her car was rear-ended," he said. "She may have been stopped in traffic and gotten pushed."We still have more investigating to do to determine all the circumstances."
The woman was in intensive care following surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center with serious head injuries, the chief said.
The other drivers were hospitalized with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening, the chief said.
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