Car plunges into river off BRP; firefighter rescues driver 11-27-07

[DR104 141]

Car plunges into river off BRP; firefighter rescues driver

By NICOLE NEROULIAS

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: November 27, 2007)

YONKERS - A car crashed off the northbound Bronx River Parkway into the water this morning, near the Crestwood train station.

The accident was reported at around 7 a.m. The red Kia Sportage was submerged in the Bronx River near Vermont Terrace, but the driver, a woman, was safely rescued by Joseph Iamonico, an off-duty Eastchester firefighter who witnessed the crash.

"We called an ambulance just as a precautionary measure," said Lt. Maria Meliti, Westchester County police. The driver was taken to a hospital.

A heavy duty wrecker hoisted the car out of the water shortly before 8:30 a.m. after placing a tether through two windows. Yonkers Fire Department vehicles were still blocking Exit 8, next to the submerged car, at 8:30 a.m.

Police are investigating whether speeding was a factor in the crash, Meliti added.

Two fatal accidents have taken place on the Bronx River Parkway this month. Yesterday afternoon, an Orange County man was killed and a Peekskill woman was seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision near Virginia Road in Greenburgh. On Nov. 7, a Yonkers couple was killed in another two-vehicle collision near Oak Street in Yonkers.

Police cited the driver in the Nov. 7 accident for speeding; yesterday's accident is still under investigation, police said.

[firecapt32 282]

Isnt it great to be in the right place at the right time. Sounds like the timing and the stars were aligned for this woman. Great job Joey We are all prouod of you

[ex-commish 490]

Great job !!!

[Guest TomStrech]

Amazing job. I guess it was the womans lucky day that he was in the right place at the right time.

[capt36 9]

Way to go Joey. Chief Mike owes you a medal for that one.

[hudson144 150]

Way to go Joe! see any fish out there?

[demps121 39]

Well done Joe!!!

[Guest]

JOOEEYYYYY!!!!!

Well done!!

Did Tito recover??

[yfd910 8]

Joey, did she see any numbers???

[TR54 239]

Excellent work Joe.

[efd1674 5]

Good Job IBO

[Guest]

Great job Joey

[capt2102 64]

Joeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyy! The number she saw was 0U812. This was Ibo's first bath this week. The camera adds 20 lbs. ... just how many camers were filming you? We all love you! The Italian Battalion strikes again.

[JetPhoto 626]

Great Job Joe!

[FirNaTine 370]

From what I heard, she saved him! Never mind the Itallion Battalion Ibo, get up your Emerald Society Dues! Good Job Lad!

Edited November 28, 2007 by TPWS

[KBR359 11]

Hey Guy's

Thank's for all your good words.

I know EACH & EVERYONE ou US would have done the SAME thing that I did this morning.

We are all in it together through thick & thin.

Every day we all help out each other one way or another.

All of our training that we do sure does help.

Keep safe to all & come home alive.

Brother Joe "IBO" Iamonico

Eastchester Professional Firefighter \ IAFF Local 916

p.s. No keepers (fish) today.

[efd184 59]

great job brother!

[BFarr156 0]

Nice Job IBO!!!!

[MFVFD179 0]

Good Job!