Massachusetts State Trooper saves woman from burning car

PALMER, Mass. (WWLP) – Trooper Glenn Witaszek is being hailed a hero for saving a woman after her car burst into flames off the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Trooper Witaszek, from the Charlton Barracks, was called to a one-car crash on I-90 eastbound in Palmer, around 7:00 a.m. Monday. He found a car, on its side, mangled, wrapped around a tree; flames were shooting out from the hood.

The driver was heading eastbound on the Mass. Pike when her car veered off the highway, flipped onto its side, hitting several trees, before it burst into flames.

Trooper Witaszek said, “I got out of the vehicle, I parked as close to the vehicle as I could, and I ran to the vehicle.”

That’s when he realized, the driver was still stuck inside; with just seconds to act, Trooper Witaszek sprang into action.

“I could hear someone screaming from inside the vehicle, I broke the rear window, and was able to get the driver, who was the only person in the vehicle, out.” Trooper Witaszek dragged a 22-year-old woman to safety, seconds before the car went up in flames.

Trooper Witaszek said, “I’ve seen lots of vehicles on fire, lots of vehicles overturned, people trapped in vehicles, but this was a matter of moments and the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.”

Trooper Witaszek doesn’t think he’s as a hero. He described his actions Monday morning as just a part of the job. The woman was rushed to Baystate Medical Center by ambulance, and is expected to be okay.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but the wet weather may have played a factor.