ST PAUL, Minn. — Dash cam footage showed drivers racing to help someone trapped inside a burning car after a fiery crash Monday morning.
One of the good Samaritans had a single tool in their vehicle that helped save a man's life.
Dramatic video from Kadir Tollas' Tesla camera, captures the frantic moment drivers run to help save a man trapped inside his car as it became engulfed in flames.
"That was the craziest moment of my life,” said Kadir Tolla, good Samaritan.
With the guard rail in the way, Tolla and the group of good Samaritans desperately tried to pry the doors open and break the window.
"The worst thing that could have happened was I could probably get burned a little or get injured, but that man could literally lose his life,” said Tolla.
But it wasn't until a MN-DOT first driver showed up with a tool that could shatter the glass that they were able to pull the driver to safety with just seconds to spare.
"Get him out. It was the only thing going through my head,” said Dave Klepaida, MNDOT First driver."To me, it’s just doing my job."
He just happened to be patrolling the area.
"Everyone stepped up and just did it,” said the driver. “It wasn't training, it was just being in the right place at the right time."
"A good showing of humanity," said the driver. "It's on all our keys chains and all our trucks."
He credits a tool known as window punch.
"Basically the black end goes up against the car window and that little punch comes out and breaks the window,” said the driver.
The driver they saved says he only has minor injuries writing, "it was incredibly heroic. Fred Rogers used to say that whenever someone sees something scary, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
We showed Klepaida the good news.
"Instances like this, its nice to know he's doing okay,” said the driver.
In his ten years as a MN-DOT First driver Klepaida says this rescue is one he'll never forget.
"I love this job. I do. We're out there just helping people get on their way. And saving lives too."
Sam Orbovich was the driver rescued and said he is also looking forward to thanking them all in person.
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