Salisbury officer rescues driver from burning tractor-trailer

SALISBURY, N.C. — The Salisbury Police Department is honoring one of its officers who rescued a truck driver after his tractor-trailer caught fire.

The incident, which occurred on August 8, was captured on body camera video.

Officers said Lieutenant Corey Brooks saw a tractor-trailer hit the retaining wall on Interstate 85 and catch fire. Lt. Brooks realized the driver, Michael Williams, was unconscious and still buckled into his seat.

“This truck can go at anytime and I was thinking I am either going to die here with him or I am going to get him out of here,” Brooks said. “When it hit the wall it scared me because it’s not everyday you see a tractor trailer hit a wall that fast.”

Brooks then pulled the driver out of the vehicle moments before the cab exploded. Once he got Williams out of the cab, another driver came to help.

“I wish I knew who she was but she was like an angel; she appeared out of nowhere and she helped me get him across the road,” Brooks said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was transported to an area hospital for treatment, according to officers. Channel 9 learned the driver is now at home slowly recovering with family.

>> Watch the rescue in the video at the top of the page.

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