VIDEO: New York State police investigator rescues an unresponsive man after his car crashed into a gas pump, which caused an explosion.
Senior Investigator John Vescio, of Troop NYC, was fueling his unmarked squad car on the southbound side of the Hutchinson River Parkway Mobil station shortly after 11:00 a.m. Tuesday when he heard a car entering the service area at a high rate of speed. The car crashed into a car on the other side of the pumps and also crashed into the pumps. Vescio’s first reaction was to run away from the impending fire and explosion, he then returned to rescue an unresponsive male driver from the crashed car — a 69-year-old man in a Toyota sedan. Vescio was able to pull the driver from the car just before the fire spread and additional gas vapors ignited.
Vescio was injured when he was hit by the falling pump, but was able to run away from the initial danger, and then return for the rescue. A secondary danger was Vescio’s weapon and ammunition which were still in his squad. The unmarked squad car became fully-involved with fire, and the weapon and ammunition were at risk of accidental firing. Vescio kept people away from his vehicle — warning them of the possible danger — but the weapon and ammunition did not detonate. The crash occurred at the Mobil station on Hutchinson River Parkway south of Exit 25.
The unresponsive man was apparently suffering from severe symptoms of diabetes, and was transported to a local hospital. A total of six people were injured with three others also transported to a local hospital.