HILLSDALE, N.J.—Police found a 48-year-old father of three from the borough on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 6, in River Vale after his vehicle careened down a steep incline and came to rest partially submerged in the Hackensack River.
John Inserra, a popular volunteer firefighter, was found dead in his sport utility vehicle near the intersection of Rivervale Road and Piermont Avenue after having been reported missing when he went to a Norwood gym earlier that day.
Inserra was active in local youth sports, including softball and wrestling. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two boys and a girl.
Police officers from River Vale and Hillsdale responded to the area shortly after 4 p.m. and found Inserra in his Acura.
River Vale police said the drop-off fell about 50 feet and there were no skid marks at the scene. Inserra’s cell phone was pinged to the area of the accident a few hours after he did not return home.
River Vale police said they received a call for assistance from Hillsdale police who reported a missing person believed to be near the Rivervale-Piermont intersection. Officers found Inserra, the vehicle’s only occupant.
No cause of death was given, although friends were reporting he’d had heart trouble.
Police from Montvale, Park Ridge, Old Tappan and Woodcliff Lake responded to the scene. The county hazardous materials unit and River Vale’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) also assisted.
Also responding were firefighters from River Vale, Hillsdale, Woodcliff Lake, Mahwah, Oradell, Old Tappan and Harrington Park, as well as emergency services units from Old Tappan, Norwood, River Vale, and Englewood Hospital.