A police officer, firefighter, and West Windsor Department of Public Works employee have been recognized for their roles in saving the life of a 19-month infant in a serious accident that occurred on Village Road West last month.
West Windsor Patrolman Robert Fow, Firefighter Anthony Vella, a third lieutenant with the West Windsor Fire Company, and Louis Dina, a Public Works employee, were issued proclamations in front of their peers and families during the Township Council’s July 20 meeting.
The accident occurred on June 12 and left three people, including the infant, injured. Police said that Bruce Argenti, 60, of Hamilton drifted over the double yellow lines near 800 Village Road West and slammed head-on into a car driven by Lauren Pasko, 25, of East Windsor, whose infant was in a car seat in the rear of her car.
Both drivers had to be extricated from their cars by the Princeton Junction and West Windsor fire companies. Both sustained serious injuries and were transported to Capital Health Systems, Helene Fuld campus.
When the accident first occurred, however, Dina had been driving on the road in a DPW truck, carrying a truck full of wood, said Borek. He heard the woman screaming and immediately went into the car and removed the baby from the car seat. By that time, Fow had arrived on scene, and Dina handed the baby over to him, Borek said. Fow performed mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing on the infant at the scene until EMS and fire personnel arrived. At that time, Vella was able to stabilize the infant, Borek said.
The infant was then airlifted to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“If it wasn’t for the actions of those three people, that person wouldn’t be here today,” said Borek, who emphasized the men’s work as a team. “They came together and saved a life.”
Borek said that it makes him proud that West Windsor has workers of that caliber working in the township, “protecting our residents.”
West Windsor Police Chief Joe Pica, who kept his comments very brief, said, “I think I work with the best men and women in law enforcement.”
West Windsor Fire Assistant Chief Larry Rubinstein said that while the recognition is nice, “we do this because it’s our job.” He wished the three men “the best of luck in continuing your duties.”
Councilman Charles Morgan said that while the chief can brag about the work of his officers, “I can sit here and tell you he’s right. These are the finest we’ve ever experienced.”
“What happened in this instance is absolutely priceless,” said Councilman Kamal Khanna. “You can’t put a value on that.”
