FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ga. — A Georgia deputy used his patrol vehicle to push a car away from a burning SUV after a fiery head-on collision left multiple people trapped inside the wreckage.
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The crash happened around 11:39 p.m. on Oct. 9, at the intersection of Highway 17 and Old Highway 17, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Frankly County Dep. Chance Ford arrived to find a heavily damaged Mazda and Ford Escape, with the SUV engulfed in flames and multiple people trapped.
As bystanders tried to free the Mazda’s occupants, Ford joined the rescue effort. After several unsuccessful attempts to open the doors, he used a window punch to break the passenger-side window.
With the flames growing and the vehicles dangerously close together, Ford used his patrol vehicle to carefully push the Mazda away from the burning SUV in an effort to keep the fire from spreading.
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Wet road conditions limited how far he could move the car, but his actions helped create more space between the vehicles while emergency crews responded, the sheriff’s office said.
Firefighters and EMS personnel arrived shortly afterward, extinguished the fire, removed a passenger from the wreckage and provided emergency medical care.
Other deputies helped secure the scene and ensure emergency responders could safely reach the crash victims.
The Georgia State Patrol responded and took over the crash investigation. The sheriff’s office did not release details about the victims’ conditions or what led to the collision.
Franklin County Sheriff Scott Andrews commended Ford and the other emergency responders who assisted at the scene.
“The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office recognizes Deputy Ford for his courage, quick thinking and willingness to place himself in harm’s way to protect others. His actions reflect the dedication and commitment to public safety that we expect from those who serve our community,” Andrews said.
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