Crime & Safety
Tow Truck Driver Saves Lives Of 2 OD Victims
The part-time tow truck driver was laid off when the village eliminated paid firefighting positions.

PORT CHESTER, NY — A former Port Chester firefighter now working as a part-time tow truck driver is credited with saving the lives of two men on I-287. Heriberto Virella was near the end of his shift with Hannigan’s Towing and Auto Body in Port Chester around 2 a.m. Friday when he heard a crash past Exit 8 on the eastbound side of the interstate.
He found the driver passed out over the wheel, with drool or foam coming out of his mouth, and the passenger was slumped over, head between his legs, the Journal News said.
Virella called called the state police who arrived and gave the men NARCAN, after which the two were taken to the hospital.
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One of the two men was released from the hospital Saturday, News 12 said.
Virella lost his firefighting job with Port Chester in 2016 when the village eliminated the paid positions, the Journal News said.
Find out what's happening in Port Chesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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