Kenosha, Wisconsin, Police Department officers were recently captured on dash cam footage saving an 84-year-old man from a car that caught fire after its tire went flat.
According to KPD Public Information Officer Joseph Noselik, officers began receiving calls about a reckless driver traveling south on Sheridan Road just after 9 p.m.
One officer happened to be in the right place at the right time.
After responding to the scene, he spotted the minivan with sparks flying out of its tire, which eventually caused the vehicle to go up in flames.
The officer then heroically pulled the elderly man out of the burning car, saving his life.
The dramatic moment was captured on the officer’s dash cam camera and later released to the public.
According to police, the incident began after the driver refused to stop for police despite their sirens. Eventually, the van came to a stop at 73rd Street and Sheridan Road while attempting to get home, which was not far away.
Noselik said the vehicle was leaking something, and that the sparks from the flat tire ignited into a blaze.
“He just thought he could make it home, and it was just a poor decision,” Noselik said.
To ensure the safety of other motorists, the driver was flagged for a DMV driving review. “We certainly don’t want to deprive anybody of something that’s so important to them. However, when it becomes a risk to public safety and to that person’s own safety, we do have to get involved and send a notice to the DMV,” Noselik stated.
If a car catches fire, it is essential to be mentally and physically prepared to deal with the situation. Turn off the engine, exit the vehicle immediately, and ask any additional passengers to get out of the car. Use a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire that is not related to a fuel leak or battery pack. Keep a safe distance from the car because it may explode, and call emergency services once you are safely outside the vehicle, providing all necessary information so that the appropriate personnel and equipment can be dispatched to your location.
