Women Rescue Injured Officer From Mangled Cruiser

**Virginian** · 11-14-07, 04:09 PM

http://www.wgal.com/news/14595118/detail.html

Two Lancaster women pulled an injured police officer from his wrecked cruiser Tuesday night, moments before the car became engulfed in flames, according to police.
Officer Herbert Watson, 44, was injured when his car slid off slick asphalt along the 100 block of Pitney Road. His cruiser hit a guardrail, a concrete barrier and slammed into a tree.
Two women who happened to be passing by, Sonia Berrios and Tonisha Robinson, pulled Watson from his car. Moments later it caught fire, eventually becoming fully engulfed.

"It was like a blessing to go to there. I could have been passing later, or earlier, you know. But I just got there at the right time. So, I'm just happy that he's doing OK," said Berrios.

Watson suffered a broken rib and other injuries. He is recovering at a local hospital.

Police said Watson's crash happened as he was responding to a call to assist another officer at a domestic violence call, where a man had forced his way into a residence.

Watson has worked for the Lancaster Police Department for five years.

Police also expressed thanks to Berrios and Robinson for their help getting their officer out of his wrecked car.

**Cidp24** · 11-14-07, 04:24 PM

I was in a pretty bad on-duty accident several years ago. Officers that haven't been there dont realize the sense of helplessness when you are incapacitated and alone until help arrives. We are used to being the ones that comfort and reassure in that situation. Having a civilian stop and assist that presents himself as not a threat, helps you and has your back for a few minutes is pretty comforting.

God bless those two and thoughts and prayers to for the officer.