Community Corner

Wayne Boy Welcomed Home Months After DWI Crash

Matthew Polifonte was critically injured when a drunk driver crashed into his family's vehicle on Alps Road in March.

WAYNE, NJ — They lined the streets with green balloons — Matthew Polifonte's favorite color.

It was a hero's welcome home for Polifonte, who was critically injured four months ago when a drunk driver crashed into his family's Toyota Sienna on Ratzer Road.

Polifonte was one of several people in the Toyota when Gina Demario-Aubin, 58, hit from behind. He was in a medically-induced coma during much of his hospital stay, ABC7 reported.

Find out what's happening in Waynefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

RELATED: 9-Year-Old Boy Critically Injured In Wayne DWI Crash

Polifonte turned 10 while in the hospital.

Find out what's happening in Waynefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Dozens of people greeted Polifonte as he returned home from the hospital.


"Amazing!" Polifonte said in the ABC report. "Thank you for supporting me on my road to recovery. I feel so loved."

“He came up with his own quote and he lives by this every day. ‘Don’t be mad at the path life gives you, just be happy that you’re alive,’” his mother Lori Polifonte, told NorthJersey.com.

More than $71,000 was donated to Polifonte and his family to help aid in his recovery.

Gina Demario-Aubin, 58, was charged with crashing her Mercedes GLK 350 into the Sienna. She was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.


Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Photo: Matthew Polifonte comes home from the hospital 4 months after being critically injured drunk driving crash. He is flanked by his parents, Lori and Leo.

People lined the street in front of Matthew Polifonte's house./Photos courtesy of John Carr

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.