Woman Drove Car Into Shrewsbury River In A Suicide Attempt, Police Say

LONG BRANCH, NJ — A car that drove into the Shrewsbury River Monday night in Long Branch appears to be a suicide attempt, said Long Branch Public Safety Director William Broughton.

The driver of the car was a 30-year-old woman from Long Branch, he said.

"She was dealing with some challenges at home and unfortunately drove into the lake," said the city's public safety director.

The young woman was not drunk or intoxicated, nor was she issued a summons, said the city's top law enforcement officer.

At 3 a.m. Tuesday, she drove her small, grey sedan into the Shrewsbury River in Branchport Park. The small car immediately sunk in the water.

Police, Long Branch professional fire fighters and Long Branch volunteer fire fighters all responded.

It was firefighters Nick Saffioti and Tyler Schick who entered the water to pull the woman out of the rapidly sinking car and to safety, risking their own lives to do so. Neither she nor the firefighters suffered any injuries.

Initial report: Car Drives Into Shrewsbury River In Long Branch (May 2)