2 rescued after accidentally driving SUV into Hackensack River

A mother and daughter had to be rescued Tuesday morning after they accidentally drove their SUV into the Hackensack River.

News 12 Staff

Jul 17, 2019, 12:44 AM

Updated 1,745 days ago

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A mother and daughter had to be rescued Tuesday morning after they accidentally drove their SUV into the Hackensack River.
The incident was caught on camera. Hackensack police say that it happened just before 12 p.m. The women were at the Spotless Car Care Center on River Road and had just finished getting their 2002 Mercedes SUV washed.
Police say the driver hit the gas instead of the brakes. They say this happened right in front of one section of the parking lot that does not have a gate blocking access to the river. The car plunged into the river.
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One of the car wash workers, identified as Orioles Ran of Guttenberg, ran right down the embankment to help the two women get out of their car and back up the hill.
“There was no hesitation in the video. The gentleman went right to the side of the river bank and went down...into the water, putting his own life at risk to help others,” says Hackensack Fire Capt. Justin Derevyanik. “Luckily everyone was out of the water when we got there and everyone is safe.”
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The 64-year-old Teaneck driver was taken to the hospital as a precaution. The driver’s 27-year-old daughter did not seek medical attention.
Officials say a similar incident happened at the car wash seven years ago. The business is not required to have a barrier between the river and the parking lot.


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