UNION CITY AND BEYOND — Firefighters had to remove two men from a Subaru that had crashed into a tree at 2:19 a.m. Sunday on the corner of Summit Avenue and 18th Street, Union City Police Chief Brian Barrett confirmed Tuesday.
Twenty-nine-year-old Santos Hernandez Gonzalez of Union City allegedly drove himself and a male passenger though the intersection and struck another vehicle, which crashed into a parked car on the opposite side of the street.
The driver of that car received no serious injury, Barrett confirmed.
Firefighters had to remove the roof of the Subaru to get the men out, Barrett said. “It’s a standard practice now,” he added. “It’s safer so they can get the back board into the seat, which reduces the chance of worsening neck or back injury.”
The report stated that the two men received significant facial wounds as a result of the accident. They were not wearing seat belts, Barrett reported.
“Not wearing seat belts causes more significant and serious injuries in car accidents,” Barrett said, “especially on a side-impact like this one.”
Gonzalez and his passenger were transported to Jersey City Medical Center and released after receiving treatment.
Gonzalez was charged with driving under the influence and not wearing a seat belt.
“I can’t say it enough–seat belts save lives,” Barrett added. “That’s what they’re for.”