Sterling Heights, Michigan — Sterling Heights police officers acted quickly to save an 80-year-old woman trapped in a burning vehicle following a serious collision at the intersection of 18 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue on Monday evening. Authorities say the coordinated response likely prevented the crash from turning deadly.
Rapid Rescue Amid Flames
According to Officer John-Mark Branch, the rescue was carried out with assistance from a fellow officer and a relative of the victim who happened to be nearby. The trio pulled the elderly woman from the vehicle just as flames began to engulf it.
Police Chief Andy Satterfield emphasized the danger of car fires:
“These car fires spread rapidly, very quickly; a car could be fully engulfed,” he said, highlighting the urgency of the rescue.
Complications Inside the Vehicle
The rescue was made more challenging because the airbags had fully deployed, obstructing visibility inside the car. Officer Branch explained that assessing the scene was difficult:
“Once we got her away, that was my immediate concern — was there anyone else in the vehicle? You can’t really see inside the vehicle.”
Inside the wrecked car, Branch noticed a significant amount of blood on the driver’s side, suggesting serious injuries.
Immediate Medical Care on Scene
Once the woman was moved to safety, officers quickly assessed her condition. Branch described the injuries:
“Once we were able to pick her up and carry her over and set her down, I was able to assess her injuries a little bit better. It was pretty obvious that at least from the knee down, she had some dramatic injuries.”
As a precautionary measure, officers applied a tourniquet to her right leg to control bleeding before firefighters arrived.
Transport to Hospital and Current Condition
Sterling Heights firefighters reached the scene shortly after the initial rescue and transported the woman to a local hospital. Officials confirmed that she remains in stable condition, though her injuries were described as severe.
Chief Satterfield praised the quick thinking and professionalism of his officers, highlighting the importance of teamwork during emergency situations:
“I was really proud, really impressed with the action, being so calm, resorting to their training, knowing exactly what to do, work as a team.”
Crash Cause Under Investigation
Authorities have not yet released details about the cause of the collision. The investigation remains active, with officers and traffic experts reviewing the scene to determine contributing factors.
Officials reminded drivers of the importance of caution, particularly at busy intersections, to prevent accidents like this that can quickly turn life-threatening.
Share Your Thoughts
Do you think quick police response can be the difference between life and death in accidents like this?
Leave your comments below and let us know what you think!
