WANTAGE -- A quick-thinking township man helped save an 18-year-old motorist after her Jeep spun out of control on a rain-slicked road and into a nearby pond Wednesday night, State Police said.

The woman was driving downhill on Rt. 628 near Pigeon Hill Road around 6:15 p.m. when she lost control of the vehicle, according to a State Police spokesman. The vehicle ended up in at least 10 feet of water, the spokesman said.

Justin Sudol, a 34-year-old construction worker, was a passenger in another vehicle that was approaching from the other direction just as the Jeep left the roadway.

“She spun around. She went into a grassy area and that slowed her down a little bit and then she went straight into the pond,” Sudol said.

Sudol screamed to his sister, who was driving, to pull over and call 9-1-1. He then rushed into the water and towards the sinking Jeep.

The driver, Sudol said, was still hooked into her seat belt and was on the phone with her mother as he approached.

"I swam up and I heard screaming. I thought there were kids in there," Sudol said.



Sudol swam to the back of the vehicle and lifted the rear hatch, figuring opening a side door would immediately swamp the Jeep. He helped the driver out, then stayed in the water with the woman as she swam to safety. The Jeep sank a few minutes later.

Although he has family and friends who have served in the Coast Guard and as first-responders, Sudol hasn’t had any specialized rescue training himself.

“I always keep my eyes open….It was just instinct.”

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.