Howell Officer Rescues Driver From Burning Car In Weekend Crash

HOWELL, NJ - An officer from the Howell Township Police Department rescued the driver of a car engulfed in flames over the weekend, as seen in video footage released by the department.

Ptl. Nicholas Volpe was on routine patrol duties when he noticed a vehicle on fire on Manassa Road at around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Howell Township Police Chief Andrew Kudrick told News12 New Jersey. The patrol officer can be seen tending to the driver’s side of the vehicle, which was wedged between a tree.

"Officer Volpe quickly approached and noticed the driver was trapped inside the burning vehicle. The door was crushed closed," the police department wrote in a statement Monday afternoon. "Officer Volpe determined the driver was conscious and instructed him to climb out the window. However, the interior damage prevented him from doing so. Officer Volpe reached in and grabbed the driver under his arms and pulled him through the window. He quickly assisted the driver back to the patrol vehicle. The vehicle was quickly consumed in flames shortly thereafter."

The police chief could not be reached for comment Monday morning.

Volpe was not harmed in the rescue process and that the 62-year-old driver only suffered slight injuries. The driver was reportedly not impaired, but did admit later to using a cell phone while operating the vehicle before the incident, Kudrick reported.

A Howell Police Officer pulled a Driver out of this Burning vehicle thru the window last night after the vehicle crashed and caught fire on Manassa Road. (Photo)@LakewoodScoop pic.twitter.com/ohZUGrDK2D
— isaac (@Reporter_15) November" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/Reporter_1... 22, 2020

"This incident once again highlights the bravery of police officers every day across this country. The quick and decisive actions of Officer Volpe undoubtedly saved this man’s life. He is a prime example of a true hero. I certainly proud of him,” Kudrick said in a statement.

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