Dramatic Roadside CPR Rescue: Bergen County Sheriff’s Officers Revive 80-Year-Old Driver in Hackensack
photo of Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, A routine afternoon in Bergen County took a life-saving turn when quick-thinking law enforcement officers revived an unresponsive elderly motorist stranded at a busy Hackensack intersection.
Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton announced the successful life-saving operation, praising the exceptional training, coordination, and rapid response displayed by the responding officers.
Flagged Down at Busy Intersection
The incident unfolded at approximately 3:14 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Sheriff’s Officers Vargas and Caceres were finishing an unrelated traffic stop on Essex Street when a concerned driver flagged them down. The motorist reported an elderly man slumped over and motionless inside a car stopped at a nearby traffic light.
Officers immediately activated their emergency lights and located the vehicle at the intersection of Essex Street and Polifly Road in Hackensack. Upon arrival, officers observed the 80-year-old male driver unconscious inside.
Forced Entry and Immediate Life-Saving Measures
When the driver did not respond to aggressive knocking or verbal commands, Officer Vargas moved quickly to gain entry to the locked vehicle:
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Forced Entry: Officer Vargas used a specialized window-punch tool to break through the passenger-side window and unlock the vehicle doors.
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Vital Check: Officer Caceres opened the driver’s door and confirmed that the motorist had no pulse and had stopped breathing.
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Immediate CPR: Sheriff’s Officer Valderrama arrived seconds later to assist in carefully moving the man from the vehicle to the ground, instantly initiating life-saving chest compressions.
Additional support arrived shortly after, including Sheriff’s Officers Dingertopadre and Morelli, alongside responding units from the Hackensack Police Department.
Driver Recovering at Hackensack University Medical Center
Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Hackensack University Medical Center, where medical staff reported that he is expected to survive.
“Our officers’ quick thinking and decisive action turned a roadside emergency into a life saved,” said Sheriff Anthony Cureton. “This incident is a testament to the training, teamwork, and instincts our Sheriff’s Officers bring to every call.”
The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office formally commended Officers Vargas, Caceres, Valderrama, Dingertopadre, and Morelli for their exemplary service, alongside the Hackensack Police Department for their vital assistance on the scene.
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