Car Plunges Into Freezing River, Trapped Driver Cut Free By Hillsborough Firefighters

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A 79-year-old woman remains in critical condition after her car plunged into a freezing Raritan River on Saturday in Hillsborough.

On Jan. 22 at 1:48 p.m., 79-year-old Patricia Perhac of Hillsborough was driving a 2015 Honda Odyssey south on River Road when the car left the roadway and overturned in the river, said Hillsborough Police.

Hillsborough Police and Station 37 Firefighters went to the riverbank across the street from 828 River Road where they jumped into the freezing water and found Perhac still inside the submerged car, said police.

After cutting the seatbelt, police and firefighters were able to remove the Pehac from the car. Emergency personnel then hoisted Perhac up the steep ravine, according to Hillsborough Twp Station 37 Fire.

Perhac was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick by Robert Wood Johnson Medics and EMS in critical condition.

Water rescue personnel remained in the water using hydraulic tools to force doors open searching the car for additional occupants. Perhac was found to be the only that was in the car.

Multiple police and fire members that went into the water were treated by EMS for exposure issues.

The crash remains under investigation by the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office CART Team.

The following agencies responded to the Scene: Hillsborough Police Dept, Branchburg Police Dept, Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Dive Team, Somerset County Prosecutor's Office CART Team, Hillsborough Fire Dept-Units: 36, 37 & 38, Neshanic Fire Station 48, Somerset County Hazmat Team, Robert Wood Johnson Medics and Robert Wood Johnson EMS.

The Hillsborough Twp Station 37 Fire is always looking for new members to volunteer. For more information visit hillsboroughfireco2.com/recruitment.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.