Heroic Rescue of Driver from Burning Car in Ohio

Ohio state troopers recently performed a daring late-night rescue, breaking through the sunroof of a burning car to save a critically injured driver following a rollover crash.

The incident occurred on December 27, around 11:11 p.m., when the Trumbull County 911 Center received reports of a fire near State Route 5 and Bradley Brownlee Road in Bazetta and Mecca townships.

Officers from the Cortland Police Department, John Mosola and Chuck Lowry, were first on the scene. Their swift actions were captured on body cameras, showing how the car had crashed through a fence, overturned, and erupted in flames.

As the flames spread, Mosola noticed the driver trapped inside and quickly broke the sunroof to attempt an extraction. The driver, visibly in distress, exclaimed, “My leg is broken. I can’t move.” He repeated this as officers urged him to stay calm.

In the video, you can hear Mosola urging the driver, “Not one second,” as the urgency of the situation became evident—”Your car is on fire.”

As smoke began filling the car, the officers continued to encourage the driver to assist in his own rescue. One officer implored, “Let’s go. Let’s go. We’re not waiting,” emphasizing the need for the driver’s cooperation.

Lowry utilized a fire extinguisher to put out some of the flames, while Mosola managed to pull the driver out moments before the fire intensified.

Mosola did sustain minor injuries during the rescue. Once the fire was under control, multiple fire departments arrived to extinguish the remaining flames and provide medical assistance to the driver, who was subsequently taken to the hospital.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Officials have yet to disclose the driver’s current condition or the cause of the accident. The Cortland Police Department has been contacted for further details.