Mazda Joins Mercedes in River Road Flood

Authorities responded to help a motorist to safety after the driver got stuck in flooding on River Road around 7:30 a.m. Monday—the second car in two days to get trapped in the water, police said.

The driver of the Mazda did not heed warning signs saying the road was closed, Montville Police Lt. Letitia Huffstutler said. Officials, including members of the National Guard, helped the driver out, police said.

On Sunday afternoon, a motorist who drove a Mercedes on a closed portion of River Road got stuck in the flood waters and the Montville Fire Department brought a boat to rescue the driver police said.

River Road was one of more than a dozen streets closed in town due to fallen trees and flooding, and some motorists have not obeyed the closure signs, Montville Police Lt. Rudy Appelmann said. Police have issued summonses to motorists who did not follow the signs, he said.

There are concerns that the flooding undermined River Road.

“They’re driving onto something that might not be there,” he said.

Committeeman Scott Gallopo said people who put themselves in hazardous situations also put the first responders who rescue them at risk.