N.C. Sheriff's Captain Revived Following Wreck

More than 10 years ago, Capt. Norman Goode of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office pulled an injured driver from a smoking tractor-trailer that had wrecked and was credited with helping save the trucker's life.

Monday morning, Charlotte firefighters restarted Goode's heart after he suffered some type of medical problem and crashed into a power pole on Beatties Ford Road in northwest Charlotte.

Goode was on his way to work when he apparently lost control of his vehicle and slammed into the utility pole near Keller Avenue, not far from West Charlotte High School. The crash knocked down power lines, blocking the road for a time.

Charlotte fire Capt. Rob Brisley said crews from nearby Station 18 arrived at the scene within a few minutes.

"Firefighters used the AED (automated external defibrillator) to restart the victim's heart," Brisley said.

Goode was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center, and Julia Rush, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said he was recovering Monday afternoon. Doctors are trying to determine what happened to Goode before the crash.

According to published reports at the time, Goode was off-duty when he came across a truck that had been involved in a crash and turned on its side in early 2000. Smoke was coming from the truck, and it appeared as if the vehicle might catch fire.

Goode climbed to the top of the cab and yelled through the smoke to the driver, asking him to raise his hand. When the captain saw the driver's arm, he pulled him from the wreckage.

Rush said Goode has been with the sheriff's office for 20 years.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service