PEORIA, Ariz. — The Peoria Fire-Medical Department is recognizing three men for their quick actions that saved a man from a burning car.
"It doesn’t happen a lot for a stranger to step in and help another stranger," Peoria Fire-Medical Department Chief Gary Bernard said.
Just more than two weeks ago, on May 9, several cars crashed at the intersection of Grand and 91st avenues and seriously injured two people.
Bengt Erickson, an off-duty Goodyear police detective, was sitting at the red light on his way home from a long day at work when he heard the crash. He pulled over and ran to one of the cars, which was smoking.
"I pulled on the doors, they didn’t open," Erickson said. "I was able to see him through the windshield and I yelled at him that he needs to get out of the vehicle."
Two friends, Matthew Arizmendez and Johnny Isordia, were nearby and also heard the crash.
"When we saw that no one was getting out of the car, we just rushed," Isordia said.
As the smoke thickened, the three men quickly smashed the car window and pulled the trapped driver out.
"First his chest, and then he got stuck and then we were finally able to get his legs out," Arizmendez said.
The firefighters who save lives every day are now recognizing these men as heroes.
"That’s what you call courage because courage is not the absence of fear," Bernard said. "Courage is doing something when you are fearful."
Arizmendez and Isordia said they just hope another stranger would have the courage to help them if they ever needed the favor returned.
“I’d do it again, for sure," Isordia said.
Bernard said the driver they saved is expected to be okay.
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