The man who jumped from the Tappan Zee Bridge Monday — and survived — has been identified as Matthew Casterella, 29, of White Plains.
Casterella is a professional gambler who, according to numerous gambling websites, has won over $1.77 million since he began playing poker professionally in 2005.
His biggest win came during a 2007 no-limit, Texas Hold'em tournament at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City – he made off with over $375,000.
State Police on Tuesday noted that Casterella is in stable condition and suffered no serious injuries from his plunge. A press spokesperson for Westchester Medical Center did not have Casterella in their registry, meaning he could have already been discharged from the hospital.
State Police at the Tarrytown Barracks would not speculate as to why Casterella jumped from the bridge Monday at about 4:05 p.m. However, money problems could have been a factor.
On a poker site, Casterella lists one of his hobbies as, "irresponsible casino gambling." His last win listed online was for $4,414 in January of 2010.
Casterella parked his 2007 Acura on the north-bound stretch of the bridge, climbed over the rail and jumped as Thruway workers attempted to come to his aid, thinking he had car problems.
He was quickly plucked from the water by fire department rescuers from Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown.
