Plow Driver Rescues Man From Burning Jeep In Peabody
BOSTON (CBS) - Essex resident Howie Lane, who was in a plow truck on I-95 in Peabody earlier this week plowing the snow, had to jump into action when the driver of a Jeep Wrangler slammed into his truck.
The Jeep's driver was unconscious, trapped, and the Jeep was about to be engulfed in flames.
"I could see him leaning against the steering wheel," says Lane. "I looked in his window but no response."
The Jeep's doors were locked and the windows were up.
Lane and his partner grabbed a hammer and broke through the glass.
"We got the door open but the belts were so tight on this guy," says Lane. "We couldn't release them and we're panicking."
Finally the seat belts came loose.
"I felt like I hit Mass Millions," says Lane. "I was so happy because I thought I'm touching this guy and I thought I can't get him out."
Lane got the driver, 35-year-old Franco Carullo of Danvers, to the side of the road and waited for police.
When the driver regained consciousness, Lane asked him why he did not see the plow truck because it had at least 15 lights flashing and it was in the breakdown lane.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports
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"He goes to tell you the truth I was having trouble staying awake, I must have dozed off because I don't remember any of this," says Lane.
Lane says he has been able to speak to the driver's mother who says her son has a lengthy road to recovery.
Massachusetts State Police tell WBZ-TV the accident remains under investigation.
The accident happened early Tuesday morning just after 2:00 a.m.
