A peaceful and serine afternoon was pieced with a horrible accident Tuesday when an out-of-control car leaped the curb at 14th street and struck two Union City teens who were walking out of a local convenience store.
Union Hill High School sophomore Reynier Valdes was pinned under the car and lost the lower part of one of his legs in the accident, which occurred just before 4 p.m. Valdes was transported by helicopter to University Hospital in Newark where he was listed in fair condition as of Thursday morning. According to city officials, he was scheduled to go in for additional surgery at 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon. His other leg was also seriously injured in the accident.
Valdes’ cousin, 17-year-old Macgrowen, also was hit. According to police officials, Macgrowen was transported to St. Mary Hospital and treated for a broken ankle and released.
According to published reports, Reynier, his 17-year-old brother and Macgrowen had stopped at the store to buy a drink before going to play basketball at Church Square Park at Garden and Fourth streets.
Reynier’s brother was still in the store while the 15-year-old and his cousin were outside. According to eyewitness reports, Reynier was sitting on the store’s blue newspaper box when the car veered out of control. According to the eyewitnesses, the car was pulling out of a space and suddenly lost control and accelerated toward the convenience store, hit the curb and took a hard right into the window of J & B Bros. Dry Cleaners, shattering the glass storefront.
According to another eyewitness, after the accident occurred, a doctor ran from his office next door to the dry cleaners. Dr. Jean Messihi, wrapped Raynier’s leg to stop the bleeding and performed emergency first aid.
Moments later, firefighters, police and ambulances arrived. The firefighters and EMTs worked quickly to remove the screaming teen from under the car. He was then rushed to the helicopter.
"I’ve never really seen the [emergency workers] run like that before," said Rene Summer about a half hour after the accident. While she did not see the accident, she heard if from around the corner on Bloomfield and got to the scene at about the same time the firefighters did.
"Normally they’re calm, but this time they were running around really fast," she said. "You could see on their faces that something really bad happened."
Another woman standing near by watching the firefighters work couldn’t understand how something like that could happen.
"I go in that store all the time," said Julia Ceska. "[Reynier] was minding his own business and hanging out with friends. There’s nothing that he could do. He didn’t do anything wrong. It’s really sad."
Hoboken Mayor David Roberts extended his support to the family Thursday afternoon.
"I want his family to know that the city is there for them and will support them in anyway possible," he said.
Roberts also acknowledged the quick responses of the Hoboken Police Department, Fire Department and Dr. Messihi. "So often people just stand by and watch when emergencies happen," said Roberts. "[Messihi] really deserves the city’s thanks for acting so quickly and responsibly."
The woman who was driving the car has not been charged with any crime as of Thursday. Police have not yet released her name.
According to officials, the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
In Union City, Mayor Brian Stack said that the city is starting a collection to help the family with medical costs and other necessities. For more information on how you can contribute, call (201) 348-5777.