Man Pulled from Burning BMW After Heroin Overdose

A local man is being treated for burns and carbon monoxide poisoning after an overdose inside a burning vehicle on Crescent Street in Salem this morning, according to police.

At around 8 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2016, Salem Fire and Rescue teams were called to a report of a burning vehicle. Police were sent to assist, according to Capt. Joel Dolan of the Salem Police Department, after the driver had passed out in the burning vehicle after overdosing.

“Fire Department personnel pulled the male out of the vehicle, a 2004 BMW, and worked on extinguishing the flames which had engulfed the engine area and damaged some of the garage area,” Dolan said in a statement. “As officers conducted their investigation, they learned the male had recently injected heroin in the residence and went to his vehicle to drive to work.”

Once in the vehicle, the man apparently overdosed and his foot became lodged on the accelerator pedal.

“After some time, the engine appears to have overheated and ignited in flames,” Dolan stated.

The man was sent to Holy Family for treatment and is in stable condition. Later today, he’s expected to be transported to Boston for burn treatment of his lungs and as well as CO poisoning.

Dolan noted that no charges have been filed in the case and the investigation is ongoing.