LINDENHURST, NEW YORK — A mother in Long Island gave her life on Mother’s Day to push her daughter out of the way of an oncoming car.
Diane Aluska, 58, and her daughter Jenna, 16, were leaving church in Lindenhurst when they crossed the street to get to the sidewalk, WABC-TV reported.
At the same time, 80-year-old Ann Riolo was pulling out of a parking spot in her 2005 Toyota Corolla. She thought she had her car in drive, but it was in reverse. When she hit the gas, she sped backwards, lost control and jumped the sidewalk.
Aluska saw the car coming and pushed Jenna out of the way. The Corolla struck Diane and crashed into the Lindenhurst Fire Department. Aluska was pinned under the car until bystanders rushed to the scene and pushed it off. They administered CPR until first responders arrived.
Aluska was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where she died. Jenna and Riolo were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Officials say the incident appears to be a terrible accident. They are not treating it as a criminal incident.
The Corolla has been impounded for a safety check as the investigation continues.
