Kane County deputies save man from burning car

Two Kane County sheriff’s deputies, including one who’s only been on the beat for about three months, are being credited with saving a driver from the wreckage of a burning car Tuesday night.

Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said veteran Deputy Steven Turcios and recruit Deputy Ryan Reichardt were dispatched to the 6N900 block of Dunham Road near Lamplight Trail at 9:43 p.m. for a report of a single-vehicle crash on the outskirts of Wayne.

The driver was headed south on Dunham Road when the crash occurred, authorities said.

“When they arrived the car was overturned and on fire,” Hain said. “They were able get the driver out and pull him to safety away from the vehicle.”

Fox River & Countryside Fire Protection District officials said firefighters arrived just after the deputies as well as a ComEd worker who happened to be in the area.

“The vehicle hit a utility pole rolled over into a ditch causing the power lines to be wrapped around vehicle,” said Fire Chief Bert Lancaster. “A ComEd vehicle was on the scene when (firefighters) arrived. The ComEd worker was able to shut off power to the area.”

Hain said the driver was reportedly in and out of consciousness during the ordeal. The 41-year-old South Elgin driver was transported to Delnor Hospital in Geneva, but was later transferred to Loyola Medical Center because of the severity of his injuries. The driver reportedly suffered from internal bleeding after the crash.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but the sheriff’s office said the driver has been charged with drunken driving.

Hain said Reichardt is finishing up the last weeks of a three and a half month field training assignment with Turcios, and then has about nine months remaining on his one-year probationary period.

Turcios is a five-year veteran of the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff said both deputies will receive lifesaving awards at an annual summertime ceremony the department stages.

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220330/kane-county-deputies-save-man-from-burning-car