Driver escapes fiery city crash

Bystander helps pull victim from burning vehicle

WOONSOCKET — A late-night/ early-morning crash sent a Hopedale, Massachusetts man to the hospital after his SUV reportedly hit a retaining wall and burst into flames around 1 a.m. Sunday.

According to the Woonsocket Police Department, the driver was transported to Rhode Island Hospital and was eventually released.

However, police have charged the man with DUI and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

The accident happened at the corner of Transit and Broad streets.

Police said that the 23-year-old crashed his SUV into a retaining wall in front of 243 Transit St.

It was a case of right place at the right time for Richard Hazzard, who was sitting in his car nearby when the crash occurred. Hazzard said he pulled the victim out of the burning vehicle.

“I heard a pop, then a crash, (I) pulled the guy out. He’s alive. He’s good,” Hazzard said in a local television interview.

“I tried to pull him out the driver’s side door. I couldn’t so pulled him out the passenger’s side, basically dragged him across the street because the car was on fire,” said Hazzard adding “Usually I’m not here on Saturday night so that was a good thing, because it went up in flames instant- ly.”

Neighbor Cindy Brillon said the same retaining wall had been struck by a vehicle last year.

“It was just re-fixed a year ago and it’s back to where it was again,” said Brillon.

Commenting on Hazzard’s actions Brillon said, “I think if he let him stay there the guy probably wouldn’t be alive today and yeah, he’s a hero, he actually is a hero.”