An early-morning crash left the driver of a Jeep pinned and trapped in the vehicle. (Photo: Holbrook Police Department via Storyful)
HOLBROOK, Mass. – A Massachusetts driver who officers pulled from a burning Jeep after an early-morning crash Sunday is expected to face multiple charges, police say.
Big picture view:
Three Holbrook, Massachusetts police officers responded to a crash reported at approximately 3:20 a.m. involving a Jeep that had caught fire.
Officer Jonathan O’Brien was the first to arrive at the scene and saw a utility pole snapped in half with wires hanging low over the roadway and fire already spreading across the front of the vehicle.
A witness told O’Brien the driver was still in the Jeep.
Police say the driver’s right foot was pinned under the dashboard in the burning vehicle. (Photo: Holbrook Police Department via Storyful)
When O’Brien got to the Jeep, the driver told him his right foot was pinned and he couldn’t get out. Police said his foot and sneaker were on fire.
O’Brien, Sgt. Martin Faherty and Officer Matthew Richards worked together to free the driver from the vehicle and Faherty and Richards dragged him to safety.
What we know:
Police said a preliminary investigation determined the Jeep went off the road, hit the utility pole and a tree and crashed into a retaining wall, damaging several properties.
O’Brien suffered minor burns to his fingers during the rescue, police said.
Holbrook fire crews put the fire out, treated the driver and took him to an area hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators say they have requested a summons for the 37-year-old Holbrook man on charges of operating under the influence of liquor, second offense; negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation and speeding.
What they’re saying:
Holbrook Police Chief Davd Del Papa praised the officers for the rescue.
“These officers did an incredible job under dangerous conditions,” he said. “The outcome would have been much different had they not arrived so quickly and acted immediately. Their quick response likely saved his life.”
What we don’t know:
Police have not yet released the name of the driver.
There was no immediate word on his condition Sunday night or whether he had been released from the hospital.
The Source: Information in this story came from Storyful. This story was reported from Orlando.