Hero Southampton Cop Honored For Saving Man From Burning Car

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A hero Southampton Town police officer who pulled a man from a burning car has received a prestigious honor for his bravery.

Erik Breitwieser, of Manorville, was one of 20 individuals honored by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission; each was awarded the the Carnegie Medal "in recognition of their acts of outstanding civilian heroism. The medal is awarded throughout the United States and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others," a release said.

Breitwieser saved Edmundo Sodedad-Reyes from a burning car, which had rolled over in North Sea on November 14, 2015.

"Unresponsive, Soledad-Reyes, 21, remained in the driver’s seat of his coupe after a nighttime accident in which the vehicle overturned and its front end caught fire," a release from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission said.

Responding to the scene, Breitwieser, 35, approached the driver’s side of the car and went to his hands and knees on the pavement, the Commission said.

"He used a baton to break out the window of the driver’s door and then, despite flames about four feet high issuing from the engine area and smaller flames inside the passenger compartment at the pedals, reached inside and grasped Soledad-Reyes by the shirt. He tugged once, but Soledad-Reyes did not move. Realizing that his safety belt was engaged, Breitwieser went to his stomach, extended his upper body into the vehicle, and cut the belt with a knife. He then pulled Soledad-Reyes to him and, dragging him, backed from the vehicle to safety. Soledad-Reyes required hospital treatment for his injuries, and Breitwieser coughed for two days after the rescue. He fully recovered," the release said.

Breitwieser was also honored by Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming in April, 2016.

Police said at the time that Breitweiser’s quick reaction saved the driver from being burned inside the car.

Police determined that Sodedad-Reyes was intoxicated and he was subsequently charged with felony DWI, driving without a license and felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle due to a prior DWI conviction, Southampton Town police said.

The Pittsburgh-based Fund, established in 1904, will bestow a financial grant upon each of those recognized for their courage. Throughout the 113 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $38.9 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance, the release said.