Off-duty firefighter saves Brooklyn girl pinned under SUV: FDNY

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- An off-duty firefighter assigned to Ladder Company104 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, did not think twice and jumped into action when he found out a young lady was struck and trapped by an SUV while she was riding her skateboard.

It was a regular Thursday morning for two complete strangers until an accident put one of them in a life-or-death situation. A young girl, who we have learned was on her way to summer school, was saved by firefighter Jose Cristales, who was home sleeping.

FDNY Jose Cristales was off duty this Thursday morning. But that did not stop him from becoming a hero without cape.

“I see a young lady under a car pinned and in distress. So I just get up, grab my shorts. Get dressed and run downstairs,” said Cristales

That young lady is a 19-year-old from Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, who, according to the NYPD, was riding a skateboard at around 8:30 in the morning when a Hyundai SUV slammed into her and then ran her over.

Police say it happened at the intersection of Neptune Avenue and West 12th Street, not too far from where firefighter Cristales lives. Cristales told us he was woken up by his sister, who was crying hysterically because of what had happened. His firefighter instinct kicked in within seconds.  

“ I went to go ahead and drag, uh, grabbed the girl from under the tire and immediately tried to check if she was breathing is she had a pulse and from there I initiated CPR.” Stated Cristsles

The 28-year-old, who has been a member of the FDNY for two years, described having to use construction equipment and the help of nearby construction workers to lift up the SUV.

 “In the midst of that there’s a bulldozer directly coming my way, so it was like the grace of God and helped out the whole scenario. And everybody and everybody came out they were able to do what they had to do.”

Then members of FDNY Engine 246 arrived at the scene. Followed by EMTs from station 43.

“He was a paramedic before this so I knew I had a good guy working with me to assess the situation,”   stated Lieutenant John Militano.

She was taken to NYU Langone-Brooklyn Hospital, where authorities say she is in critical but stable condition.

“It is only because of their team work, their dedication to the city of New York that I think this was possible.”  Said commissioner  Laura Kavanagh.

“It is like a pat in the back for me because I as much as I can I did best job I could possibly do.  But it is also the feeling of show is she going to do. How is she doing, we’re real more remorseful for her and her family,” concluded Cristales.

As far as the driver of the SUV, he remained at the scene.   He has been identified as 43-year-old, Saddam Tufail. According to authorities he was arrested and charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care.