Officers, good Samaritans rescue teen when car plunges into water in Patchogue

Suffolk police say a car went into the water at the end of South Ocean Avenue.

News 12 Staff

Sep 12, 2023, 9:45 PM

Updated 458 days ago

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Quick thinking by police officers and good Samaritans Tuesday helped rescue a 19-year-old woman whose car plunged into the water in Patchogue.
Suffolk police say it happened at the dock at the end of South Ocean Avenue. They say the teen was pulled out of the water by Emergency Service Section officers and good Samaritans.
One man who was out on a Sea-Doo immediately rushed to help.
"She hit the curb and shot out 30 feet in the air...it was crazy," says Peter Faiella, of Patchogue.
Faiella says officers used a fire extinguisher from his Sea-Doo to break the car's windshield and the pull the teen out of the car.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. A News 12 crew was on scene over the summer and called for help when a man drove into the water at the same location.
Then in June of last year, a teen jumped into the bay to save another teen who accidentally stepped on the gas instead of the brake.
Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri says despite these incidents there are no plans to make any changes or add safety measures.
"I wouldn't," says Pontieri. "The next mayor can consider it."