Driver Died, Teen Rescued From Fiery Jarrettsville Crash: Sheriff

JARRETTSVILLE, MD — A neighbor saved the life of a Harford County teen who was riding in an SUV that crashed Sunday night, according to authorities. The driver died at the scene in Jarrettsville, officials said.

The crash in the 3900 block of Old Federal Hill Road occurred at 5:34 p.m., the Harford County Sheriff's Office reported.

Joseph Lee DePasquale, 35, of Annapolis, had been headed east on Old Federal Hill Road in a 2017 Ford Expedition when his SUV went off the road, hit a tree stump and caught fire, investigators said.

Before the Expedition erupted into flames, a neighbor "rushed to the vehicle, broke the car window and pulled the teen from the vehicle, saving his life," officials said.

The 14-year-old was flown to the pediatric emergency department at Johns Hopkins by Maryland State Police medevac for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, officials reported.

"Preliminary evidence suggests excessive speed was a contributing factor," the sheriff's office said in a statement Monday. "It is unclear if DePasquale was wearing a seatbelt."

Anyone who may have seen the crash or has information about it may contact the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit at 443-409-3324.

Officials said Old Federal Hill Road was closed Sunday night for the investigation into the deadly crash.