City police officer, citizens honoured for racing to car fire
The first people on the scene of a fiery crash who tried to save the life of a grandmother were among dozens of civilians and police officers acknowledged Wednesday at the Edmonton Police Service Recognition Ceremony and Edmonton Police Commission Citizen Awards.
When Ryan Brewster saw a white 2009 Infiniti G37 speed through traffic on Oct. 24, 2016, he wondered what the driver was doing.
Moments later, he watched the vehicle rear-end a blue Nissan Xterra travelling northbound on a green light, sending both vehicles spinning into the ditch at 97 Street and 160 Avenue. The Xterra burst into flames. A woman was pinned inside. Brewster knew he had to act.
“I watched the (Xterra) explode,” he said, adding it was thrown three or four metres into the air before rolling into the ditch.
“Pure intuition” told the 34-year-old welder to help, so he got his gloves, safety glasses and a fire extinguisher and headed to the wreck with four other citizens.
The men tried to rescue the woman from the burning vehicle and put out the fire.
“I think we all pulled together and did the best we could as everyday, regular bystanders,” Brewster said.
Brewster, Bradley Chalmers, Benjamin Sacks, Neal Seifeddine and John Wajaras each received an Edmonton Police Commission Citizen Award on Wednesday.
“It feels great, and I’m glad to be recognized, but I just wish there was more that I could have done that day,” Brewster said.
Meanwhile, Const. Sasa Novakovic, a six-year member of the Edmonton Police Service, was driving when he thought he saw a structure fire. He realized it was a vehicle on fire with men trying to rescue a woman trapped inside. He leaped into action.
Novakovic received a Commendation for Bravery award for his role, something he called “humbling” and “bittersweet.”
“It brought back the event as if time had never passed,” he said after receiving the honour.
At one point, flames grew higher and hotter and Novakovic feared a “Hollywood explosion.” Knowing nothing more could be done, he told Brewster and the other men to get back.
Seconds later, a small explosion went off.
Joann Christou, 50, died in the crash.
“There was nothing that could have been done differently to change the outcome, unfortunately,” Novakovic said.
Eric Lestar, 20, was charged with impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and refusing to provide a blood sample.