By John M. Hoober III
Lancaster New Era
LANCASTER, Pa. - As fire began spreading through a wrecked Lancaster City police cruiser late Tuesday night on Pitney Road, two city women stopped and pulled a dazed officer out of the flaming vehicle, investigators said.
The actions of Sonia Berrios, of the 400 block of South Christian Street, and Tonisha Robinson, of the 500 block of Chester Street, probably saved the life of Officer Herbert Watson, accident investigators and fellow police officers said.
“Lancaster City police are thankful for their involvement,” said Lt. Brent Oberholtzer.
Watson, who is a 5-year city police veteran, is recovering at a local hospital. He has a broken rib and a possible wrist injury, but the injuries are not life-threatening, police said.
Watson, who was patrolling Lancaster Township, east of the city, crashed his marked cruiser at 11:43 p.m. on Pitney Road, just north of Bridgeport, in East Lampeter Township. The passenger side of the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria struck a barrier and a tree, East Lampeter police said.
Watson was driving south. He was responding to a burglary-in-progress call in west Lancaster Township.
Berrios and Robinson, who were in separate vehicles, came upon the damaged cruiser moments after the accident. It was sitting in a traffic lane.
“Something didn’t seem right to them, When they realized it was an accident and the officer was injured, they pulled him out,” said East Lampeter police Officer Shawn Berry.
Fire was starting to spread through the car when the women rescued Watson. Right after they got him out, the engine compartment burst into flames, Berry said.
“They were instrumental in him not being injured by the fire and probably saved his life,” said Berry.
Copyright 2007 The Lancaster New Era