By Nicole Neroulias
The Journal News
Copyright 2007 The Journal News
YONKERS, N.Y. - Joseph Iamonico's morning began with his usual routine: he lit up a stogie and took his English bulldog, Tito, for a long walk along the Bronx River Parkway, biding time before his 24-hour shift at the Eastchester Fire Department.
The 52-year-old firefighter-EMT isn't sure what happened to his cigar, but figures he must have dropped it while jumping into the river after a sinking sport utility vehicle yesterday.
"I heard the car hit the guardrail, and I was hoping it would stop in time, but it just kept going and going," he said.
The accident was reported about 7 a.m. on the northbound parkway, behind the Crestwood train station. The red Kia Sportage sank off Vermont Terrace.
Iamonico used his cell phone to call the Westchester County dispatch center — the number is on his speed dial. After giving out the accident location, he put down the phone and his wallet and jumped into the water.
By the time he reached the submerged vehicle, Debbie S. Johns, 33, of Mount Vernon had managed to get out of the driver's seat.
"She was sitting on top of her car, and she seemed pretty shook up, but not hurt," Iamonico said. "The water was about up to my chest. She gave me a bear hug and we basically waded back to shore."
Johns was taken to Lawrence Hospital Center in Bronxville for back pain.
A heavy-duty wrecker pulled the SUV out of the water shortly before 8:30 a.m. after placing a tether through two windows.
The speed limit on that part of the parkway is 40 mph. Police are investigating whether speed was a factor in the crash.
"Speed is probably the likely cause," said Lt. Maria Meliti of the Westchester County police. No charges have been filed, said Lt. Henry Cetina.
Attempts to reach Johns were unsuccessful. A phone number listed for her address was disconnected.
Two fatal accidents have taken place on the Bronx River Parkway this month. On Monday, an Orange County man was killed and a Peekskill woman seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision near Virginia Road in Greenburgh.
On Nov. 7, a Yonkers couple were killed in a two-vehicle collision near Oak Street in Yonkers.
Police cited the driver in the Nov. 7 accident for speeding. Yesterday's accident is still under investigation, police said.
Iamonico got to work about an hour late, after going home to shower and change clothes. He still had to work his 24-hour shift, he said, with a casual shrug.
"Any one of the guys in this firehouse would have done the same thing," he said. "I don't think I did anything too crazy. It was a normal reaction."
His supervisor, Capt. Tom Ferrara, who has worked with Iamonico for 25 years, agreed, but said the firefighters had their own way of honoring his actions.
"We will ruthlessly (tease him) for the rest of the day, and he has to buy dinner, or at least lunch," Ferrara said. "If you do something stupid or heroic, you have to buy dinner. I'm sure there will be steak on the menu tonight."
Photographer Mark Vergari contributed information for this report.
