Toms River Officers Honored For Rescue Efforts After Fiery Crash

TOMS RIVER, NJ — On June 7, Toms River Police Officer Kyle Lamar gave chase when he saw a car wanted in connection with a shooting in Lakewood earlier in the evening.

When the pursuit became dangerous because the suspect was driving recklessly, Lamar stopped the pursuit. And when he came upon a crash less than a minute later, he jumped into action. He and Police Officer Thomas Elwood worked to rescue the driver from the crash, even as the car caught fire.

On Tuesday, the two officers,. who were hired in 2015, were honored for their bravery, presented with Class A awards at the Toms River Township Council meeting byToms River Police Chief Mitch Little said.

Video of the chase was released by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office in late June and the end of it captures the aftermath of the crash. Lamar and Elwood can be seen working to pull the driver out.

"They were standing on the car as it was on fire," Little said, "and pulled the driver out through the back window of the car. By the time they got him out, the car was fully in flames." (READ MORE: Video Shows High-Speed Chase Before Fiery Fatal Lakewood Crash)

Little said the video was released to calm tensions with gang members who blamed Toms River police for the deaths of the driver and his 16-year-old passenger. The teen died at the scene of the crash.

"Both officers displayed a high degree of courage, professionalism, and initiative in an extremely hazardous situation and are commended for taking immediate action in an attempt to save a person’s life," Little said.

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Toms River Police Officers Thomas Elwood (left) and Kyle Lamar. Photos via Toms River Police Department