In a remarkable act of bravery, sports journalist Dianna Russini reportedly rescued an elderly man and his dog from a serious car accident just one day after announcing her resignation from The Athletic.
According to eyewitness accounts reported by Page Six, the incident occurred in Wyckoff, New Jersey, when a 17-year-old driver in a Honda Civic turned left onto Cedar Hill Avenue from Sicomac Avenue, colliding with a Jeep. The impact caused the Jeep to overturn onto its side, trapping the 73-year-old driver and his canine companion inside.
Police Lt. Joseph Soto confirmed the details to local media, noting that the elderly driver was transported to a hospital for evaluation after complaining of head and shoulder pain. The dog, fortunately unharmed, was released to one of the driver's friends.
An eyewitness told Page Six that Russini, who was driving on the same road, immediately stopped to assist. Accompanied by another individual described as "a tall man," Russini was reportedly lifted onto the overturned vehicle where she managed to open the door.
"She and the other guy pulled the driver and his dog out of the Jeep," the eyewitness explained.
While official police reports didn't specifically mention bystander assistance in extracting the victims, video obtained from the scene shows significant damage to both vehicles, highlighting the potential danger of the situation.
This unexpected act of heroism comes at a transitional moment for Russini, who had just stepped away from her prominent sports journalism role. The quick-thinking response demonstrates that her skills extend far beyond the press box, potentially earning her a new title: Good Samaritan.