The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is in the news this week, receiving praise for the life-saving action of one of its officers along with a bystander who worked together to save a man from a vehicle that was ready to burn at any second.
The LVMPD shared the video of the narrow escape and a brief detailing of the events that transpired off-camera in a Facebook post on the department’s page.
“On Friday afternoon around 4:37 pm, our LVMPD Convention Center Area Command officer and a bystander pulled a driver from a burning car near Las Vegas Boulevard and Siegfried and Roy Drive.
As you can see, both worked with only seconds to spare before the vehicle went up in flames.
The driver of the crashed vehicle was taken to the hospital.
Our officer was also taken to the hospital as a precaution.
We are so thankful for the quick actions of our officer and the bystander for saving a life!”
Police say that the event is still under investigation.
Officer Derek Stebbins, who was the officer seen in the video, gave an interview on LVMPD’s page on Tuesday:
“This is exactly why I joined the force, was to help people. You know, everyone thinks that all we do is take bad guys to jail, we save people’s lives at the same time and that’s what we signed up to do for this job.”
The good Samaritan, Justin Mouser, was interviewed by FOX 5 and was able to share his thoughts on the incident. After seeing a car veer off the road and hit a palm tree, Mouser and his wife waited to see if anyone exited the vehicle:
“After a couple of minutes, I thought well somebody needs to look in to see what’s wrong with him.”
“The guys across the street were hollering that it was still on fire. So, I kind of stepped around the door, looked under the car, and thought man that looks like it may be spreading a little. It might be time to pick up the pace.”
At this point, Officer Stebbins was trying to rescue the driver alone, while keeping members of the public away from the growing fire. Mouser, who couldn’t stand by and watch a travesty unfold, jumped to the rescue anyway:
“I don’t hear very well or sometimes act like I don’t. I probably should have listened to him, but I tried to help.”
The barber from Kentucky wouldn’t even accept credit for his actions at first, telling the interviewer that his help wasn’t needed and that Officer Stebbins had the situation under control:
“Well, I think the officer would have got him regardless. I’m glad the guy’s going to be ok.”
This humbleness surrounding the situation has endeared him to his hometown, where he returned as a hero for saving a life while on his trip to Vegas. What happened in Vegas for Justin Mouser was broadcast to the world.
The driver is facing DUI charges according to a court record shared by Fox 5.
Featured Image is from LVMPD Facebook Page.
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