New Jersey Tow Operator Saves Crash Victim from Burning Vehicle

John Jay “JJ” Tashjian, a tow operator from Nick’s 24 Hour Towing Service in Rutherford, N.J., is being lauded for his actions in saving a driver from a burning vehicle on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Kearny, N.J.

According to news reports, Tashjian was traveling northbound on the NJ Turnpike in the early morning hours when he observed a burning, crashed car in tall grass approximately 50 feet off the roadway. He contacted Nick’s Towing Dispatch, who contacted NJ Turnpike Operations. The New Jersey State Police, Kearny Fire Department and emergency medical services also responded to the scene.

Tashjian ran to the vehicle and pulled the driver out just before it became engulfed in flames.

The fire was extinguished and the driver was treated by medical personnel.

The burned vehicle was recovered by the Nick’s Towing team.

“I couldn’t be more proud of John Jay’s efforts.” said Nicholas F. Testa, owner of Nick’s Towing Dispatch, was quoted in news reports. “He is a courageous young man. In this day and age when most people would simply drive by a scenario like this, he instead jumped into action and put himself in jeopardy to save another person.”