Seattle Police Officer Credited with Saving Woman from Burning Truck after I-90 Crash

On Tuesday, July 19, 2016, the Seattle Police Department released information about one of its officers who is credited with helping save the life of an injured woman involved in a dramatic, fiery crash on eastbound I-90 near SR 18 Monday evening.

According to the Seattle Police Blotter, Seattle PD Officer JD Smith was on his way home when he noticed traffic backing up . Smith said he just happened to be there –  was in the far left lane when he say the saw the back of a pickup truck in the air when it caught fire.

Officer Smith said he rushed to the truck and saw a woman lying in the front seat as the fire started.  He described adrenaline kicking in, finally helping him get the truck door open after countless tries. A bystander then helped him get the woman out of the vehicle and to safety just before the truck exploded.

Officer Smith also credited a reserve firefighter, a retired Seattle firefighter, a Harborview Medical Center doctor and another bystander for helping him rescue and treat the woman at the scene.

Eastside Fire and Rescue arrived shortly after the dramatic rescue, getting the fire under control and treating two other injured motorists.

Accident scene near SR 18 on 7/18/16 after fire engulfed two vehicles following collision. Photo: Henry Mitchell.
Accident scene near SR 18 on 7/18/16 after fire engulfed two vehicles following collision. Photo: Henry Mitchell.

 

 

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  • Let me guess…someone in the backup on the right lane,decided to cut out and either nailed a car in the lane next to it or the person in the left lane didn’t have enough time to react and plowed into the line cutter. We can’t 5 years for this situation to get fixed.

    1. I agree totally. The Hwy18 and I-90 junction needs to be fixed. Lane extensions westbound on Hwy18 may be the quickest and least expensive fix for now. This project would take some funding. Are any local politicians or candidates considering this issue?

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