Obituary for Nicholas V. Cacciapaglia
March 16, 2022Woman Extricated From Her Vehicle in Toms River
March 17, 2022
Authorities say a Bayville Tow Truck Driver Collapsed
Manchester Police saved the life of a Bayville tow truck driver who collapsed while removing automobiles following a crash on Route 571 last week.
According to Manchester Police Capt. Vincent Manco, 61-year-old John Macchia was cleaning debris and preparing automobiles for transfer when he fell in the street.
Macchia was unconscious, not breathing, and without a pulse by officers Michael Steffen, Kyle Rickvalsky, Brendan Brush, and Julian Meaney. Manco said they started CPR and used an AED until Manchester Township Emergency Medical Service and RWJ Barnabus paramedics arrived.
Photo Credit: Manchester Police Department
According to Manchester Police Department, on March 16, 2022, at approximately 3:00 p.m., John Macchia arrived at Manchester Police Headquarters in the hopes of meeting the four officers who had saved his life less than a week before.
On Thursday night at 10:38 p.m., Mr. Macchia, a tow truck driver for Freedom Towing, unexpectedly fainted from a cardiac attack while working a wreck site.
At the incident, Ptl. Rickvalsky, Ptl. Steffen, Ptl. Brush, and Ptl. Julian Meaney performed life-saving efforts such as CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator, ultimately saving his life.
While at police headquarters, Mr. Macchia met Ptl. Rickvalsky and Ptl. Steffen in the department’s briefing room in the presence of Mr. Macchia’s sister and other members of the Manchester Police Department, to include Manchester Police Chief Robert Dolan.
Mr. Macchia shook their hands, expressing sincere gratitude for saving his life. He stated, “I know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for these officers.” Mr. Macchia was unable to meet Ptl. Julian Meaney or Ptl. Brush at the time as they were off-duty.
Photo Credit: Manchester Police Department