Truck slams into car dealership in Vineland, N.J. and catches fire
VINELAND, N.J. (CBS) -- A driver is fighting to survive after police say he crashed into a car dealership in Cumberland County. The truck caught fire with the driver trapped inside.
It happened Friday morning on Delsea Drive in Vineland.
"By the time I got there his car was already going up in flames," Kyle Richardson said.
Richardson raced towards the inferno after he says he saw a pickup truck whiz past his house and seconds later he heard what sounded like an explosion.
"First thing I started to do was smash his windows because I couldn't get his front door open," he said. "The driver's side door."
Around 1:40 a.m., police say the driver, a 44-year-old Newfield man was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck when he somehow lost control on North Delsea Drive and hit a guardrail and a traffic pole. And then went barreling into the AG Autogroup building before his truck was engulfed in flames.
Richardson says he struggled to pull the truck's door open as other witnesses used a fire extinguisher to battle the flames that were quickly spreading.
"I just grabbed him with everything I had," Richardson said. "Pulled and luckily enough I was able to get him out."
"I know he obviously didn't do this on purpose," Gabriel White said. "I pray that he makes it through."
White has owned the dealership for nearly 11 years.
The fire consumed the front office and a mound of bricks was piled outside the building but he says he will rebuild.
"The only thing that's brought me to tears so far was not the damage, it was the outpouring of people calling me and offering help," White said.
Richardson says he's seen many accidents on Delsea Drive and knew he had to act to save that man's life.
"I was just doing what I would hope someone would do for me if I was in that situation," Richardson said. "I hope somebody would try to get me out as best they possibly could."
The driver was flown to Cooper University Hospital and was last listed in critical condition.
Police say no charges have been filed at this time and the crash is under investigation.
