Accident Survivor Narrowly Misses Marathon Finish

Joe Bellantoni of Kinnelon has been near death before. In 2007 he was in a brutal car accident on Route 23, an accident which left him in a coma for days. When he awoke, he found he was unable to see and required reconstructive surgery.

Bellantoni, now 51, didn't let that stop him. Rather, he dedicated his life to fitness and activity, and started training for marathons. According to the Daily Record, he has run in 70 races in the last six years.

Until about 3 p.m. April 15, he planned to add the 2013 Boston Marathon to that list.

Bellantoni ran in the Boston Marathon with a friend who doubled as a guide, Peter Fox. They were about half a mile from the finish line when they heard a sudden commotion and were prevented from finishing the race.

Despite finding himself near danger once more, Bellantoni said he has no intention of stopping.

"I want to do it again, absolutely," Bellantoni told the Daily Record. "We move on. We move forward.”