ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. — The community was looking to honor the good Samaritan who pulled a man from a fiery crash Monday on Highway P in St. Charles County near Wentzville.
Bystanders and the fire department both want to recognize this man but have no idea who he is.
Chelsea Lombardozzi was driving down Highway P at about 3:30 p.m. Monday when a truck in her rearview mirror caught her attention.
“I noticed he kept going into the other lane. It looked intentional, though, almost like he was trying to avoid a pothole or debris. So, I saw it about two or three times. And then I passed a silver truck. I heard a horn and then, immediate crash,” Lombardozzi said.
She pulled over right away and called 911.
“The white truck was immediately in flames. So I started running up there. But, the closer I was getting, the truck was exploding. It sounded like gunshots. Things were flying out of it,” Lombardozzi said.
A man and boy made it out of the silver truck and safely across the highway, but moments later the group of bystanders realized the driver of the white truck was still inside.
Chelsea couldn't believe what happened next.
“This man came running out of nowhere, starts prying on the truck door, just pulling, pulling. You're watching the truck rock and eventually he gets it open. But then he starts screaming for a seatbelt cutter, and everyone's panicking. Not a lot of us carry that on our person. So I'm not sure how, but somehow he ripped that seatbelt out and pulled the man out and across the street to safety,” Lombardozzi said.
This all happened before the fire department arrived.
Wentzville Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Michael Scott said they were told by dispatchers on the way that everyone made it out but didn't learn about the selfless act until later.
“It takes a pretty good amount of guts to go up to a vehicle that's on fire. I mean, we have 80 to 100 pounds of gear on going up to it, to head up there in civilian clothes is a totally different matter. So, it always makes a big difference on that,” Scott said.
Now, the fire department and the community have a message for their local hero.
“We definitely want to recognize you for your efforts and for taking the time to go out and help your fellow man, even though you didn't know who they are,” Asst. Chief Scott said.
Lombardozzi said he really deserves recognition.
“Thank you so much. You saved a man's life. I just can't even imagine what you went through for that. You sacrificed yourself for a stranger,” Lombardozzi said.
If you are that good Samaritan or know who it is, please call the Wentzville Fire Protection District at 636-332-9869 or Wentzville City Hall at 636-327-5101.
While the crash did not happen in city limits, it is within the Wentzville Fire Protection District.