Eastport firefighter Joseph Tortorice rescues couple from vehicle fire

Eastport firefighter Joseph Tortorice rescues couple from vehicle fire


A volunteer Eastport firefighter is being hailed a hero after rescuing a couple from a burning car earlier this morning.

The incident occurred on Sunrise Highway just after 1 a.m. in East Moriches.

Police say the driver lost control of her car and crashed in the woods near exit 61. Joseph Tortorice, 23, was driving by when he saw the accident.

Tortorice, a volunteer with the Eastport Fire Department, says he was able to drag driver 23-year-old Alexandra Monti and her 27-year-old passenger Michael LaFreniere away from the burning car.

"It could have been another outcome, but I was there at the right time and the right place," said Tortorice.

The two victims were taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. News 12 was told that they are expected to make a full recovery.