A wild week for Dianna Russini reportedly took an even crazier turn on Wednesday, April 15, when she rescued an elderly man and his dog from their overturned vehicle after witnessing a car accident, according to Page Six.
The outlet, which also broke the news of the scandal that led to Russini’s resignation from The Athletic earlier this week, cited an alleged witness that claimed Russini, 43, happened to be driving along the same road in Wyckoff, New Jersey at the time of the crash when she sprang into action.
“She ran out and had a tall man put her on top of the Jeep to open the door, and she and the other guy pulled the driver and his dog out of the Jeep,” the source said.
The town’s local Patch site reported news of the crash, which did not include details about witnesses helping the driver.
The accident occurred when a 17-year-old in a Honda Civic collided with a Jeep while turning a corner, sending the Jeep onto its side.
The 73-year-old driver complained of head and shoulder pain, and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, according to Patch. The dog appeared “in good health” and was turned over to a friend of the driver.
There were no other injuries reported and the accident is still under investigation.
Russini resigned as The Athletic’s senior NFL insider on Tuesday, April 14, after Page Six posted photos of her with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel together at a resort in Arizona. She and Vrabel, 50, are both married with children and have both insisted the photos were innocent.
After initially offering public support to Russini, The Athletic launched its own investigation into their relationship.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini wrote in her resignation letter, which she shared via X. “When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.”
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete,” Russini continued. “It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”
She added, “Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
