First Responders Honored For Lifesaving Efforts After Toms River Crash

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Matthew Roszkowski was on his way to work at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in March, when he was hit head-on by a drunk driver going the wrong way on Route 37.

His father Ron, who is a paramedic himself, thanked the first responders who "helped keep Matt alive" as he recounted the crash at the Toms River Township Council meeting on Tuesday.

Matthew, who works as a trauma technician at the hospital, was trapped in his vehicle after the crash; his father said it took almost 45 minutes to get him out. Ron said that one paramedic crawled through a broken back window to "perform life-saving intervention" while crews worked to extricate Matthew.

Ron thanked paramedics and police for providing his son with care, and for working with the family during his recovery from a traumatic brain injury.

"We do the work because we love it, and not for the accolades," Ron Roszkowski said of his fellow first responders. "But sometimes, the world needs to know what true lifesavers and heroes look like."

Matthew, his family, and his girlfriend were at the meeting to present plaques to each of the responding agencies: Toms River Fire Companies 1 & 2, Silverton EMS, Toms River police and community service officers, and Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics.

Tuesday was also Matthew's birthday. He did not speak at the short ceremony, but Ron provided a little levity on his behalf.

"Matt's joked during his recovery, 'I at least made it to work,'" he said.

The township council also presented resolutions honoring the first responders.

And before getting into agenda business, the mayor and council also recognized recent Eagle Scout Abhinav Avilala, from Troop 59, for his project at Popcorn Park Zoo.