Mother is grateful to citizens, public servants

On Wednesday, Aug. 4, at approximately 11:30 a.m., my daughter, Jennifer Ippolito, and her friend, Michael Brown, were traveling in Jennifer’s car along Jernee Mill Road in Sayreville.

Jennifer saw a large rock in the road and tried to avoid it. However, the corner of her tire hit the rock, which rolled along underneath the entire driver’s side of the car.

My daughter was on her way home to take me to a doctor’s appointment. When she and Michael got to a traffic light at Washington Road, both young adults agreed they smelled gas. Jennifer watched her gas gauge go down slightly. Because of the importance of getting home to The Courts of East Brunswick condominium complex to take me to the doctor, she continued driving.

When Jennifer arrived with Michael at The Courts, she was panic-stricken. There was a hole the size of a nickel in her gas tank. Gas was running all over the parking lot. She was told to go to the superintendent, Mike Brightbill, and have him call 911.

In the meantime, George Mallow, a general contractor at The Courts and a Vietnam War veteran, ran to the nearby woods, found an empty juice bottle and put it under the car, with Michael’s assistance. The two men had to lift the car to position the bottle.

Within a few minutes, first to arrive was Patrolman James Riehz of the East Brunswick Police Department. Shortly after, firefighters Jeffrey Lubin, Ryan DeGraw and Joel Garcia of Independent Fire District No. 2, East Brunswick, arrived. The response time was amazing.

Then Joe Serrao of East Brunswick Fire District No. 2 arrived. Patrolman Riehz called Giancola Towing, East Brunswick, and the driver, Fernando Giancola, arrived in record time.

Because of everyone’s effort and efficiency, my family and I would like to take this time to thank each and every one of you for a job done exceptionally well.

This could have easily turned into a tragedy, but the end result was only a bill for Jennifer.

God bless you all.

Alaine Weil

East Brunswick