Unconscious Man Pulled From Burning SUV In Daring Rescue

EASTPORT, NY — Update: Police have identified the man saved from a burning SUV Monday as Matthew Hillebrand, 47, of Babylon.

According to Suffolk County Police, Hillebrand is in critical condition after the one-car crash, which took place at the intersection of County Road 51 and County Road 111 in Eastport.

Hillebrand was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital; the Hyundai was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing, police said.

Original story: Hero good Samaritans pulled an unconscious man from a burning SUV in Eastport Monday, according to the Suffolk County Sheriff's office.

According to a post on the Suffolk County Sheriff's office Facebook page, at approximately 2:51 p.m., Lieutenant Salvatore Petrone was driving his unmarked sheriff's vehicle south on County Road 51 in Eastport when he saw a black Hyundai SUV Santa Fe that veered off the roadway and crashed into a utility pole.

Lt. Petrone immediately responded to the crash where he assessed the scene; he realized that the sole occupant of the SUV, a man, must be removed from the vehicle without delay as smoke began to fill the vehicle's cabin, officials said.

With the help of 4 good Samaritans who stopped to help, the group was able free the man's trapped legs and pull him out of the car to safety just seconds before the vehicle became fully engulfed by the fire, the Suffolk County Sheriffs office said.

The driver was transported to the hospital by East Moriches Ambulance; the car fire was extinguished by the Eastport Fire Department, sheriffs said.

"The heroic actions of Lt. Petrone and the good Samaritans saved a life today," the post read. "Please join Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco and and the members of the Sheriff's Office in recognizing the fearless and courageous efforts of Lt. Petrone and everyone involved today."

Patch file photo.