Livingston Fire Chief: Accident Survivors ‘Lucky’

The driver of a crash after heavy rains last week is “lucky to be alive,” according to Livingston Fire Chief Christopher Mullin.

Mitchell Raab, 20, and his passenger, Melvin Manny, 20, were both hurt on May 19 when their car skidded off West Hobart Gap Road and crashed into a tree.

Earlier in the day, heavy rains had flooded that portion of the road. The road was reopened but wet when the two young Livingston men headed to a football practice in Millburn, Det. Sgt. Anthony Dippold said.

According to the , the crash occurred about 7:30 p.m. when Raab’s 2001 Honda apparently hydroplaned at the bend in the road near Meadowbrook Drive.

The car skidded off the road and struck a tree. The Honda was twisted around the tree and Mullin said it took rescue workers about 45 minutes to free Raab, who suffered a fractured arm. Manny fractured his ribs and suffered cuts and bruises, Dippold said.

“They were both very fortunate,” Mullin said. “They’re lucky to survive that kind of accident, especially the driver.”