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Quinton, 31, was heading to Hackensack on his Harley Davidson motorcycle when he lost control of the bike in the northbound lanes of River Road and collided with a southbound vehicle on Friday, Sept. 27
The volunteer firefighter and public works employee looked down and saw blood pouring out of his leg.
He called out for help, and a Good Samaritan rushed over with a ratchet strap. Quinton tied it as tightly as he could. Minutes later, Officer Gillian Cabrera showed up, and then Officer Matthew Viola.
"It was amazing — she was so focused," Quinton said. "She jumped on me and applied her tourniquet."
Cabrera was so focused that she did not even look up to see the patient.
The two know each other well, both working in town together.
"She was perfect," Quinton said. "She couldn't have been any better. She was right on it. She acted as soon as she got out of the car and did everything you'd want someone to do for you in that situation."
The ambulance arrived soon after and rushed Quinton to Hackensack University Medical Center.
"I did make it to Hackensack," Quinton laughed. "Just not in the way that I wanted."
The first thing he did after surgery was tell everyone how amazing Cabrera was in his time of need.
At this week's Edgewater Mayor & Council Meeting, that happened: Cabrera, along with Detective Robert Carrano, Sgt. Theodore Wetklow, Officer Matthew Viola, Officer Uriel Aguilar-Fuentes, EMTs Marc Navarro, EMT Alaa Karim and dispatcher Debbie Shirinian, were honored for their heroic efforts in Quinton's crash.
Cabrera was also recognized this week, as she was among the four officers who saved an unresponsive 2-year-old girl.
"The doctors said the work done to my leg in the field probably saved me," Quinton said, noting his appreciation for every officer, EMT, and Good Samaritan who stepped up.
"Officer Cabrera deserves all the praise she can get."
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