Motorcyclist survives crash, 50-foot fall into river

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A motorcyclist survived not only a crash but also a 50-foot plunge into the Passaic River Thursday night.

Rutherford police say 29-year-old Jason Montoni was thrown into the river just before 7 p.m. after colliding with a car on Route 3.

The Lodi resident flew off his bike and over the guardrail after striking a sedan. He landed in a stretch of the river that's about 27 feet deep.

He was able to hang onto a pillar, and he was thrown a flotation device by emergency responders but was unable to secure himself due to his injuries.

A Rutherford Fire Department boat was dispatched to rescue Montoni, who was later transported to Hackensack University Medical Center with leg and shoulder injuries.