Quick-Thinking GEICO Employees Save Two OD'ing in a Burning Car

As the insurance advertising states, everyone knows that in 15 minutes, you might be able to save 15 percent on your car insurance.

But did you know that those GEICO agents might run out of their offices with fire extinguishers and put out a burning car, as well as administer CPR and save two men who were reportedly overdosing on heroin inside the car?

That’s exactly what happened in Manchester on Jan. 29, at around 2:45 p.m., after a Volvo being driven by a 33-year-old Hooksett man on South Willow Street was idling in the parking lot outside of the employees’ office.

Scott Hamel, Haroula Hamel, Jessica Graves and Katrina Kerra, all GEICO employees, noticed the engine to the 1998 Volvo 570 appeared to be extremely loud, according to a police report, and went out to see what was going on.

Scott Hamel approached the vehicle and noticed that both the Hooksett man and a passenger, a 35-year-old man from Manchester, were “unresponsive,” with “blue lips,” and began to pull the men from the vehicle.

“While doing so, they heard a loud ‘pop’ and the engine shut down,” according to Lt. Brian O’Keefe of the Manchester Police Department. “The alleged ‘pop’ sound may have caused an engine fire. In a matter of seconds the cab of the vehicle began to fill with smoke.”

The employees grabbed fire extinguishers and began putting out the engine fire, which is still under investigation, while also administering CPR to the two men.

Manchester Fire and Rescue teams, AMR workers, and Bedford Fire and Rescue teams also arrived at the scene. The EMTs realized that both men were overdosing on heroin and administered Narcan. They were revived and taken to the hospital.

The two men have not been charged yet but may face charges, according to O’Keefe,” when the investigation is completed. At that time, their names will be released. 

Photos courtesy of Jeffrey Hastings of Frame of Mind Photography/FrameofMindPhoto.com.