State Police Investigator Rescues Man from Car that Crashed into Gas Pump

A 69-year-old man, who state police believe may have suffered a diabetic emergency, crashed his car into a gas pump Tuesday morning on the Hutchinson River Parkway and was dragged out of the vehicle by a senior state police investigator.

State police did not release the name of the man who was transported to Westchester Medical Center following the 11 a.m. crash outside of White Plains. New York State Senior Investigator John Vescio was pumping gas into his vehicle and also suffered injuries when the gas pump fell on top of him as a result of the crash, according to state police.

Below is a press release from state police describing the incident:

On June 3, 2014 at approximately 11:00 AM, Senior Investigator John A. Vescio of Troop NYC was fueling his State Police vehicle on the southbound side of the Mobil station on the Hutchinson River Parkway in White Plains, NY. 
 
As he was outside his vehicle he heard a car entering the service area at a high rate of speed.  Sr. Inv. Vescio turned just as a Toyota Camry slammed into an Acura on the opposite side of the pump, and then into the pump itself. The pump housing fell on top of the Senior Investigator, who was able to crawl out from under the pump just as the front of the Toyota and the pump caught fire. 
 
Injured himself, he immediately went over to the 69-year-old operator of the Toyota, who was incoherent, and pulled him out of the vehicle to safety.  Indications were that the man was having a possible diabetic emergency prior to the collision. 
 
Sr. Inv. Vescio directed others away from the fire and asked a bystander to help in moving the man further away from the scene.
 
Knowing that he had ammunition in the trunk, Senior Investigator Vescio directed people to get back and asked a bystander to assist in moving the man further away from the scene. Popping noises were heard in the area of the vehicles, but Troop NYC Captain Dominick L. Chiumento advised that the Senior Investigator's issued weapon and all ammunition was accounted for with none being comprimised. The State Police vehicle and equipment in the trunk was heavily damaged in the fire.
 
Witnesses described the professionalism and focus of Senior Investigator Vescio during the incident. Captain Dominick L. Chiumento, who was at the scene, said, “Despite Senior Investigator Vescio’s own injuries, he remained focused and committed to saving the life of the operator of that Toyota.  If not for his swift response, the situation could have turned much worse.”
 
Senior Investigator Vescio was treated and released from a local hospital for injuries sustained during the incident. The 69-year-old operator of the Toyota was transported to Westchester Medical Center.
 
The accident investigation is being handled by the Westchester County Department of Public Safety.
 
The State Police would like to thank the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the Harrison Police Department, and the White Plains Fire Department for the assistance they rendered to Senior Investigator Vescio and responding State Police members.