Toms River Police Officer, two Good Samaritans recognized for lifesaving efforts

A trio of heroes were celebrated, honored and presented with awards at the Toms River Council meeting on Tuesday night for their lifesaving efforts in tending to a motorcyclist seriously injured in a June 16 accident.

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It was a nightmarish scenario, scary, life-altering when 25-year old John Troncone of Jackson ended up losing his leg due to critical injuries suffered when he was hit by an oncoming vehicle driven by 44-year old Robin Smith of Berkeley at the intersection of Whitesville Road and Route 70.

Right then and there, Christopher Drago called 9-1-1 to report the accident, Miguel Otero removed Troncone's shirt to use as a tourniquet in controlling the bleeding from his leg and Joseph Drago removed his belt to use it as a tourniquet as well, township officials said.

Without hesitation once on scene, Toms River Police Officer Bridget Badalis then applied two "life saving tourniquets" to Troncone's leg to prevent him from bleeding out.

The Drago brothers and Otero helped first responders on scene in lifting Troncone onto a backboard into an ambulance so he could be brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for further treatment.

Both Drago brothers and Officer Badalis were on scene at the Toms River Council Meeting on Tuesday night, July 13, to receive lifesaving awards for their actions following the crash that saved a mans life.

Toms River officials said that the third Good Samaritan, Miguel Otero, was unable to attend the meeting.

“Officer Badalis, who started with the Toms River Police Department as a special officer in September, is commended for using her training and experience to save a person’s life. Without the quick response and critical life support rendered by these three Good Samaritans and Officer Badalis, a life would have been lost," Toms River Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill said in a statement.

“The actions of Officer Badalis, Christopher, Joseph and Miguel were lifesaving, heroic and outstanding contributions to public safety in Toms River,” Toms River Council President Kevin Geoghegan said in a statement.