Officers pull unconscious woman from burning car on Henry Street

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Two people were injured in a crash Monday night on Henry Street in Savannah.

According to the Savannah Police Department, seven officers helped pull the unconscious 18-year-old passenger from the burning vehicle.

Police say it all started when the driver lost control, hit a light pole and a tree before hitting another tree head on. After spinning to a stop it caught on fire. It was at this point where officers had to work quickly as a team.

Officers were dispatched to Henry Street near Dieter Street at about 11:45 p.m. Officers arrived and saw fire coming from the hood of the car.

According to police, the driver had gotten out of the vehicle but the woman in the passenger seat was still in the car and was unresponsive.

They were able to pull the woman over the front passenger seat and out of the back door.

“You can’t think about yourself in that scenario. That’s why we put the badge on our chest,” said Officer Janson Neff. “It was just almost tunnel vision. We knew what we had to do.”

Each officer thinking fast to save the life of the unconscious passenger with the time ticking.

“Running up the car, we all noticed the smell of gas.”

“We had good communication amongst each other,” said Officer Molly Moran.

Breaking windows and making a path to get her out of the back door.

Officers say nearby citizens stepped up to help calm the driver who was injured but able to get out on his own.

“We’re very grateful to those bystanders who helped us,” said Officer Moran.

Savannah Fire arrived and extinguished the flames.

“I am so proud of these officers for their actions when responding to the scene last night,” Chief Roy Minter said. “They literally ran toward the flames and worked quickly as a team to not only remove the passenger from the car but get her to a safe location. Had they not acted as they did, the passenger in the car could have suffered more serious injuries or even lost her life.”

Corporal Jake Davey led the team on this call.

“I’m extremely proud of our watch,” he said.

And as the team looks back on that night.

“We genuinely care about the citizens that we serve and we want to make a difference and we want to help civilians. When everyone says that we’re a hero, it’s humbling, but at the same time it’s our job,” said Corporal Davey.

Both the driver and passenger were transported to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

SPD says according to the initial investigation, the driver failed to maintain the lane and struck a light pole and tree before hitting another tree.

The seven officers that helped pull the victim to safety were Cpl. Jacob Davey, Officer Timothy Valmont, Officer Janson Neff, Officer Molly Moran, Officer Sydney Delince, Officer Jason Zimmerman and Officer Anthony Traniello.

The crash remains under investigation by TIU.

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