Bergen County Officers Save 80-Year-Old With Roadside CPR

An elderly motorist is expected to survive after Bergen County Sheriff's officers performed emergency CPR at a busy Hackensack intersection on September 1, 2026.

Officers Vargas and Caceres had just finished a routine traffic stop on Essex Street when a passing driver flagged them down around 3:14 p.m. Someone was slumped over at a nearby traffic light, completely motionless.

The officers found an 80-year-old man unconscious behind the wheel at Essex Street and Polifly Road. When knocking on the window and shouting commands got no response, they knew every second counted.

Both doors were locked. Officer Vargas grabbed a window-punch tool and shattered the passenger window, quickly unlocking the vehicle from inside.

Officer Caceres opened the driver's door and checked for vital signs. The man had no pulse and wasn't breathing.

Officer Valderrama arrived moments later and helped pull the man from the vehicle. The three officers immediately began CPR on the pavement as additional backup arrived.

Sheriff's Officers Dingertopadre and Morelli joined the effort, along with units from the Hackensack Police Department. The coordinated response created a life-saving chain of care right there on the street.

Paramedics rushed the man to Hackensack University Medical Center. Hospital staff confirmed he is expected to survive.

Why This Inspires

This rescue shows what happens when training meets instinct. These officers didn't hesitate when a stranger's life hung in the balance.

Sheriff Anthony Cureton praised the team's swift action. "Our officers' quick thinking and decisive action turned a roadside emergency into a life saved," he said.

The incident highlights how public safety training prepares first responders for split-second decisions. Breaking a window, performing CPR in the street, and coordinating multiple agencies happened in minutes.

For the passing motorist who flagged down the officers, their decision to speak up likely made the difference. Community awareness and law enforcement readiness created the perfect conditions for saving a life.

Five officers and an alert citizen turned an ordinary Tuesday afternoon into someone's second chance.