Good Samaritans pull driver out of burning truck following crash in South Jersey
"I just grabbed him with everything I had and ripped him out of there," recalled Kyle Richardson.
VINELAND, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A driver was critically injured early Friday morning in a crash in Vineland, New Jersey.
Action News spoke with multiple good Samaritans who helped pull the victim out of his truck. They said they didn't think twice as the flames got more intense.
"It was really scary because you have flames getting bigger and bigger, stuff is starting to pop," explained Kyle Richardson who ran over to help.
The crash happened at about 2 a.m. at the intersection of N. Delsea Drive and W. Garden Road.
Authorities said the driver of the truck lost control and ultimately crashed into the AG Auto Group building.
The truck caught on fire following the crash.
Richardson was just one of the good Samaritans who stepped in to help. He said it took him smashing the windows of the car and prying open the passenger door all while the fire was quickly spreading.
"I just grabbed him with everything I had and ripped him out of there," Richardson said.
Osvaldo Colon was across the street at the time of the crash. He ran over to help put out the fire.
"I came into my shop, I got two fire extinguishers and I went to try and help shut it off. The heat was too intense for us, but at least the guy was out of the truck," Colon explained.
Gabriel White, a co-owner of AG Auto Group, says he's thankful for the outpouring of support from the community.
"You can't put enough stress on how nice it is to have good neighbors. We take care of as many people as we can," said White
According to officials, the driver remains in critical condition at Cooper University Hospital.
White says his shop will remain open as they get right to work on repairs.
