Hillsborough Teen Hero Honored For Saving Woman From Ida Floodwaters

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough High School graduate, 19-year-old Devin Arriaga, was honored by the township mayor and committee on Tuesday night for jumping into raging waters to save a stranger's life during Hurricane Ida.

Mayor Shawn Lipani read the proclamation recognizing the"profound courage and bravery exhibited by Devin Arrianga as he saved the life of a stranger in need."

Jessi Andruzzi, a 25-year-old tattoo artist, was leaving work in Hillsborough and trying to make her way back home on Sept. 1 during the storm when her car became flooded. She climbed out of her sunroof and screamed for help. Read More: Hillsborough Teen 'Hero' Risks Life, Saves Woman From Floodwaters

Arriaga came to her rescue, pulled her from the car and swam them both to a nearby fence before pulling her to safety.

"Well I didn't know what was going to happen that night but when I saw him I don't know — I just felt so excited that someone even heard me," said Andruzzi during the Tuesday night committee meeting. "The fact someone would go into that water to save me is just absolutely nuts. I appreciate you, dude."

"I did what I had to do and I would do it again for anybody," said Arriaga.

The entire committee gave a standing ovation to Arriaga for his heroic actions.

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