A newly in-car video shows two Montgomery County, Maryland police officers rescue an unconscious motorist from a burning vehicle last year.
Officers Cody Fields and Brian Nesbitt were dispatched to a collision on the outerloop of I-495 between Georgia and Connecticut avenues on Sept. 1, 2015 at approximately 12:19 a.m. and were informed that witnesses said smoke was coming from the vehicle and the driver was still inside.
Fields was the first to arrive on the scene and found the vehicle on the left shoulder of the highway with the driver's side of the vehicle pinned against the Jersey wall. The engine compartment of the vehicle was on fire and the car was filling up with smoke.
The officer rushed to the passenger side of the vehicle and saw that the driver was still inside of the locked vehicle, unconscious. He then used his ASP baton to break the front passenger widow and reach inside and unlock the door.
Nesbitt had just arrived on the scene and assisted Fields in the rescue attempt.
Fields reached in from the front, passenger side of the vehicle while Nesbitt entered the rear, passenger side. Together, both officers were able to remove the driver from the vehicle as the fire began to spread from the engine to the inside of the vehicle.
The officers assessed the condition of the driver until Fire & Rescue personnel arrived. The 34-year-old male driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
"Officers Cory Fields and Brian Nesbitt placed their own lives in danger and exhibited uncommon bravery and dedication when they rescued Mr. Isreal, who was unconscious, from his burning vehicle," Police Chief Tom Manger said in a statement.
Fields, a three-year veteran, and Nesbitt, a 12-year veteran, were awarded Friday with the Montgomery County Police Department - Medal of Valor, the highest award given by the department.
