Watch Mich. Police Help Save Injured Elderly Driver in Car Fire
What to know
• Five Sterling Heights police officers and several bystanders pulled an injured elderly woman from a vehicle engulfed in flames after a two-car crash.
• Officers applied a tourniquet to control severe bleeding from a compound leg fracture until fire crews arrived and transported her to a hospital.
• Police officials praised the swift, coordinated response, calling the officers’ actions courageous and lifesaving.
The officers and bystanders worked together as a team to pull the woman from her burning vehicle and carried her to safety.
“I can’t walk,” the woman said she was carried by the group. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Recognizing the severity of her injury and increasing blood loss, officers applied a tourniquet to stabilize her condition until the arrival of the Sterling Heights Fire Department, who continued medical care and transported her to a nearby hospital.
Sterling Heights police said the actions of the officers were swift, decisive, and undeniably courageous.
“Last night’s response exemplifies the very best of our police officers,” Sterling Heights Police Chief Andy Satterfield said.
“These officers ran toward a burning vehicle without hesitation because someone’s life depended on it. Their bravery, skill, and teamwork, along with the critical help from bystanders and our fire department partners, made the difference between life and death. We are incredibly proud of them.”
The department said officers Devon Leonard, John-Mark Branch, Kevin Archer, Andre Basin, and Sgt. Justin King were to be commended for their heroic actions.
_________________
© 2025 The Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, Mich.
Visit www.macombdaily.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.