Correction officer honored for pulling man from car wreck

A Long Island man who rescued a driver in a wrong-way crash over July Fourth weekend was among a group of New York City correction officers honored Wednesday at Rikers Island by Mayor Michael Bloomberg for their acts of bravery, courage and kindness.

Officer Lenin Orellana was driving to work on the Long Island Expressway on July 5 when he saw a two-car crash in Flushing and rushed toward the wreckage. Orellana said he and another Good Samaritan pulled the driver, John Rey, 64, of Greenlawn, badly injured, away from the destruction. Other Good Samaritans rescued the second driver.

Moments later, Orellana said, both vehicles exploded into giant fireballs.

"Everyone says I am a hero but I did what I was supposed to do," Orellana said. "We're human beings. We're supposed to help each other out."

After dialing 911 for help, Orellana called his supervisor to say he would be late for work.

John Rey, who was in a medically induced coma for most of the 17 days he was hospitalized, was alert for 36 hours, said his daughters, Colleen Rey Cassar, 44, and Courtney Ahlsen, 32, both of Greenlawn. But, he eventually died from his injuries on July 22, they said.

Although their father did not survive the head-on collision, the women said Orellana gave them, their children and other family members a chance to say goodbye. "I am grateful to [Orellana] for giving us the opportunity to have some final moment with Dad," Ahlsen said.

Both women attended yesterday's awards ceremony, as did Orellana's family.

Orellana, along with two colleagues, received the New York City Correction Department Medal of Honor, awarded to members who distinguished themselves by an act of "extraordinary courage, bravery or heroism." Several other Long Islanders were also among the 31 correction officers honored Wednesday.

Rey was alone in a Super Shuttle van on his way to pick up passengers going to airports when the crash occurred. Rey was eastbound when Dave Richards, driving a 2002 Mercedes-Benz, went the wrong way and collided head-on with Rey's van.

Queens prosecutors said Richards had a blood-alcohol content of .19 percent, more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent. Criminal charges against Richards, 31, of Hemsptead, included second-degree assault, second-degree vehicular assault, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and third-degree aggravated unlicensed motor vehicle operation, according to the Queens district attorney's office. Those charges are still pending.