BARNEGAT POLICE REPORT: Man Pulled from Burning Car
In other news, Vinnie's Pizzeria was hit by a car this weekend
An 86-year-old man was pulled from a burning car on Friday night, police said.
On Aug. 31st at 10:35 p.m., Barnegat Patrolmen Nicholas Venuto, Andrew Parsley, and George Martin responded to a serious motor vehicle accident on Route 72.
The officers arrived on scene to find a 1987 Chrysler Fifth Avenue had left the roadway and crashed into trees. The vehicle was on fire, and Agnelo Pereira, 86, of Waretown, was trapped in the vehicle.
Police said Pereira appeared to have suffered a "medical episode" and was not only trapped in the vehicle, but was clutching the steering wheel which he refused to release.
Officers were finally able to pull Pereira through the driver's side front window of the vehicle and drag him to safety.
An investigation revealed that Pereira's vehicle first left the roadway and struck a roadside ditch near mile marker 18, damaging the front right tire. Pereira continued to drive for nearly 7 miles, as evidenced by gouge marks in the roadway from the rim of the front right tire, police said.
Pereira was airlifted by MONOC medevac helicopter to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center with severe burns to both arms as well as shoulder and rib injuries.
Venuto suffered smoke inhalation, and Martin suffered second degree burns to his right arm. Both officers were treated and returned to duty.
In a statement issued to press and police, Committeeman Jeff Melchiondo said:
"This is yet another fine example of the professionalism and bravery of our Barnegat officers."
Also on Sept. 1 at 9:12 a.m., Barnegat officers responded to Vinnie's Italian Restaurant Pizzeria on West Bay Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle that struck the building.
Officers arrived to find a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer had impacted and partially penetrated the building. The vehicle operator, Mariano Dicesare, 90, of Barnegat was uninjured.
An investigation revealed that Dicesare had been attempting to park his vehicle and depressed the accelerator instead of the brake.
Vinnie's was closed at the time and no one was injured, but the storefron sustained extensive damage to the front windows as well as structural damage. Members of the Barnegat Township Construction Office responded to inspect the building and determined that it was unsafe for habitation. The business will remain closed until an engineer can assess the structural damage and repairs can be made.
Pick it Plus, a business that borders Vinnie's, sustained minor damage to interior drywall and was determined to be structurally sound and safe after inspection. Pick it Plus and all other businesses in the complex were deemed safe and remain open for business.
Dicesare was issued a summons for careless driving, police said.
Mike Howard
9:25 am on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Another good job by the Barnegat Police Dept..
marlyn
10:33 am on Sunday, September 2, 2012
90 years old & still driving- that's ridiculous- take away his driver license!
Robin Campbell DeMonch
7:31 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
I concur, Marilyn. Both of these people should NOT BE DRIVING!
mr henry
7:04 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Great job...outstanding work by the Police Dept again!
james Goldstein
8:10 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Once again the volunteers from the Barnegat First Aid Squad who left their beds to treat police officers and driver are no where to be found in the article. The disrespect for our volunteers is becoming increasingly apparent.
Ray
9:10 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Both the BPD and the First Aid Squad do good work. The difference is that the Police are well paid.
Susan Mondie
12:16 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
A sincere thank you to the selfless EMS Volunteers, who serve the citizens of this town, with very few thank yous. The mission of the First Aid Squad from this article and articles in the Asbury Park Press, forces the reader to question "Why?" Not only is this omission bad reporting, it shows a lack of appreciation for volunteerism. These fine Americans deserve better...an apology would be nice.
Teri I. Kirchner
7:13 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Wow! Great Work Performed By ALL Involved! No need to make this a Mud Sling Match! It Goes Without Saying that there Are MANY People that assist in these situations that Deserve Major Kudos... What about the Average "Joe" that helps out with out the Honor or perks of being a Service worker? If you choose to me a Voli... GOD Bless you, However, there truly is NO Need to Put down those that have Paid their dues... Put in TIME... Went through Extensive Physical Training and Certifications and Also get paid... If you want a pay check and not just Vanity Fair... Go All In... Just Saying.. I feel that it is a Crime that there is any Service.. EMS, FireFighter that is Volunteer...ESPECIALLY with how Barnegat Has grown over the years... Wanna speak your peace.. Fight to have these selfless individuals be afforded all the benefits of a FULL Service Emergency Team... My Father was a Paid Fireman in a NJ City and the stories I heard... Geez.. If you do it for free... GOD Bless you.. BUT... IF YOU DO IT FOR FREE... You Do It for YOU and you have created a seat for yourself in heaven.. Anyone that has negative words for the Paid Vs... Volunteer.. Get Off Your Duff and fight for a Fully Paid Emergency Force!
Teri I. Kirchner
7:20 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
One More thing.. As far as the Elderly being able to Drive... Retest... Make it mandatory... And... If our family structure had not deteriated the way it has... These older individuals would not feel forced to drive.. How bout we go back to the Good Old Days when We Did For the Elderly and were there for them as they were for Us? I agree, Robin, Whole Heartedly.. However, Once they lose their independance... Will the FAMILY Step Up and be There for them? Or... are We All Just Too Busy?
Susan
12:52 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I don't know if there are any family members in the area
JON SERPICO
9:49 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Heroes never ask for thanks, that's how you know there heroes. one of the officer's involved in saving this man frequents my place of business, I would consider him a friend. when I saw him with burns on both arms I asked what happend he replied "I helped to put out a car fire in manahawkin" he never said I saved a mans life by pulling him though a window of a burning car.THATS MY KIND OF HERO
Charles J. Giles
11:04 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
@Jon, your first sentence, says it all !
Charles J. Giles
11:01 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Major Congratulations once again to Barnegat Police Officers Parsley, Venuto and Martinez who RISKED THEIR LIVES to pull the person out of a burning car. They risked their own safety for another human being. All police officers risk their lives to Serve and Protect all of us. Firefighterrs which were not mentioned also rsk their lives fo save other lives by going into precarious situations, burning buildings etc.Medical Profesionals on ambulances are there to treat patients injuries and save lives. What certain EMT's that came from their beds which is appreciated, need to realize is that they did not rescue a man from a vehicle that was in flames! Volunteers need to be Thanked but an apology is no way necessitated. Thank You Barnegat PD for always protecting us and putting yourselves at risk. Thank you to all firefighters for the extensive work you do, it does not go un-noticed. To the volunteers who give of your time Thank You as well. This spotlight is on three men, Police Officers Parsley, Venuto and Martinez. Great Job, Most are proud of the entire PD.
McFree Money
8:35 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Serpico, you should close up shop food isn't all that good... Will never recommend it to anyone. Giles, wish you practice what you wrote. By the way how are your 3rd degree burn scars? Thanks BPD - Kudos to all three of you!
JON SERPICO
9:51 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
McFree Money i'm sorry if you didn't enjoy a meal at my restaurant. i think you should try it one more time as a matter of fact give me your real name and i'll buy you dinner then we'll see if you enjoy it. By the way we just won the readers choice award from the patch. Could everyone else in Barnegat be wrong?
God Bless America
10:25 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Jon Serpico we all know that the readers choice award is nothing more than how many time you pushed the vote button. I do not like your food. The quality is poor and the service just as bad. There are many other better places to eat in Barnegat that did not vote MORE THAN ONCE for themselves.
Erric L Zdzchowski
10:45 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Oh my god, start retesting already! Make it for everyone so the Seniors can't cry about it.
Mac
1:51 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I don't believe seniors cry about retesting as the current trend of class warfare would have us believe. I do believe they cry over the unnecessary tragedies that result from NJ's irresponsible application of its motor vehicle responsibilities though. Most states require every driver to take an eye test and a written test every 3 years from the day they start driving. A moving violation citation earned during that past 3-year period requires taking a road driving test also. Unfortunately, the focus of NJ DMV fees has more to do with supporting hidden items in the general fund than improving driving habits and skills along with other DMV improvements that benefit the public. It almost seems like a plan to save money by not educating drivers so more money can be collected by both the state and the lawyers from driving mistakes resulting from lack of knowledge or diminished ability. Instead of NJ wasting millions of dollars to create the ‘foolproof-impossible-to-duplicate’ driver’s license, let’s create an atmosphere where the DMV enhances our driving experiences by keeping the roads safer before it is necessary for the police and 1st responders to demonstrate their skills due to these state government shortcomings. Besides, I don’t think a terrorist really cares if his/her driver’s license is legal or not. Frankly, a police officer has a better chance of survival when approaching a car if the terrorist driver believes the driver’s license might work for him/her.
Charles J. Giles
10:55 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
@McFree get your facts straight, or don't comment, please. @ Jon my friend just ignore these nameless people. the story is about the heroic officers and they bring in your food, which by the way is great, as are many restaurants in Barnegat. They are to scared to use their own identity as you and I do. These alias' should stop .
God Bless America
10:31 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Giles is it not a fact that you say that the North tower fell on you and you ran out of the hospital like a super hero and worked the site. You sell yourself way too short. The Patch should watch your many Youtube videos where you tell us about your amazing story. You are the biggest super hero of 9/11 (if what you say is true).
Charles J. Giles
12:13 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
@GBA I have never referred to myself as a hero or super-hero. The only heroes are the ones who died that dreaded day 11years ago, and those that continue to die due to their 9/11 illnesses. I will once again say to you get your facts straight and again this is a story about Three Hero Police Officers. People, not just you, need to stay on the topic that is being discussed. This is not about Jon's Restaurant or myself. it is about Three Barnegat Police Officers who put themselves in harms way to pull the driver of a vehicle on Fire. Get the facts straight and please try to stick with the story topic that was written. Thank You.
God Bless America
10:43 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
These are the facts:
1- This is a story about heros.
2- You Giles posted on this story about real heros.
3- You Giles have publicly said that the North tower fell on you and you then ran out of the hospital right away to work the site. You claim serious injuries that would have kept any ordinary man in the hospital for months (remember you were inside the North tower and it fell on you).
4- You in your own words described yourself in the most superheroic way. Your own story (if true) makes you a bigger hero than all 3 of these officers (and they would also agree, if your story is true).
This is all on topic based off the comments you are making here. Why do you want so badly for my comments and others be removed. You would tell anyone about yourself and broadcast it all over Youtube, but NOW you don't want to talk about it. All I am saying in response to your post is don't be so humble now Giles. According to your own "facts" you are the biggest hero Barnegat has. God Bless.