Scott J. Oak saved Taylor L. Tefft from burning, Pasco, Washington, October 5, 2009. Taylor, 11, was the passenger in the front seat of an automobile that was involved in an accident on an interstate highway. The car immediately caught fire, as did the other vehicle, located about 10 feet away, that was involved in the collision. Severely injured and rendered unconscious, Taylor was trapped in the front seat by wreckage as flames issued from the undercarriage of the vehicle and spread to its back-seat area. Oak, 34, an off-duty police officer from another municipality, was one of the motorists who stopped at the scene. He approached the passenger side of the burning car, leaned through the window of its front door, and maneuvered Taylor to free her. He then pulled her through the window and carried her to the median. Flames grew quickly to engulf the car. Taylor was taken to the hospital, where she died two days later of her injuries. Oak also received hospital treatment, for smoke inhalation and burns to his arms. He recovered.
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82618-9414