FELLSMERE – A Fellsmere police officer pulled a man from a burning vehicle that crashed at the entrance to MESA Park over the weekend and the department is seeking witnesses to that collision.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9, according to the Fellsmere Police Department.
Ofc. Noe Borjas was called to the scene to investigate the crash and found a silver 2005 four-door Volvo crashed against a palm tree and several citizens in the area who had stopped to help. The undercarriage of the vehicle was on fire and the amount of smoke was increasing.
Ofc. Borjas retrieved his fire extinguisher and approached the vehicle on foot, ordering the people to increase their distance from the burning vehicle for their safety. As he got closer to the vehicle, he noticed the driver was still in the driver’s seat. Ofc. Borjas then went to that side of the vehicle to render aid.
The driver was conscious but either refused to or was incapable of complying with the officer’s commands to get out of the vehicle, according to police, so the officer opened the car door to help him.
Ofc. Borjas dragged the driver out of the now burning vehicle as the man was unable to stand or walk. The driver was moved a safe distance from the vehicle as Indian River Fire Rescue responded to douse the vehicle fire and transport the driver to the hospital.
According to the Fellsmere Police Department, witnesses interviewed at the scene stated that prior to the crash, the driver was traveling west on County Road 512 and was operating his vehicle in a dangerous manner by speeding, passing multiple vehicles at once, narrowly missing oncoming traffic when passing, and leaving the roadway on more than one occasion.
A search of the vehicle afterward revealed numerous prescription medications scattered throughout its interior on the floorboards and a large quantity of pills were found in the center console, according to police. The circumstances that may have contributed to the crash are still under investigation and criminal charges could be forthcoming.
As the Fellsmere Police Department continues its investigation, officers would like to speak to the occupants of the pick-up truck that arrived moments before the officer, but left the area when directed to back their vehicle away from the fire. They and anyone else who may have information regarding this incident are asked to call the Fellsmere Police Department at (772) 571-1360.