A dramatic scene unfolded on Thursday evening on I-94 near Snelling Avenue when a Honda veered off the road, struck a light pole, and burst into flames. Tolla, one of several Good Samaritans who stopped to help, described the harrowing moments. “That could be me one day. What would happen if I was in that situation and my life was in the hands of strangers that I don’t even know,” said Tolla. The bystanders made frantic efforts to rescue the driver, who was awake and pleading to be pulled out. However, the door was blocked by a guardrail, forcing them to find alternative solutions. “We could crack the door a bit and give him a little air,” said Tolla. Despite the danger posed by the spreading fire, the group persisted. “It was actually smacking us on our face but we just jumped back,” said Tolla.
Tolla even tried to break the window using a piece of plastic from the roadside, but it was a highway helper who eventually smashed the glass, allowing the group to pull the man to safety just in time. “Right when we got him out, the fire started going inside the car from the driver’s side. I’m glad he got out in time,” said Tolla. Reflecting on the experience, Tolla expressed gratitude for being able to help. “It was just like the scariest moment of my life. This is something that I’ll never forget. I will always remember this,” said Tolla. The driver, fortunately, did not sustain serious injuries, but paramedics took him to Regions Hospital for evaluation. The crash also sparked a small grass fire, quickly extinguished by firefighters.