Quick thinking by one state wildlife officer helped save a woman who was trapped after overturning her vehicle on the 18-Mile Stretch in the Florida Keys.
First responders were called to a single-car accident on the stretch near MM 109 around 3:20 p.m. on Aug. 20. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation officer Chris Lejarzar was traveling south on U.S. 1 and was one of the first at the scene.
When he arrived, he saw an overturned sedan leaking fuel. Inside, an injured woman was trapped upside down. Fearing a fire and finding the vehicle doors inaccessible, Lejarzar immediately began attempts to free the victim.
Squeezing through the broken rear windshield, he removed part of the backseat and cut the victim’s seatbelt. Lejarzar attempted to free the trapped woman as Monroe County Fire Rescue, the Florida Highway Patrol and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrived. Lejarzar secured the vehicle and safely got the woman out of the car while Monroe County Fire Rescue stopped the fuel leak.
“I commend Officer Lejarzar and our Monroe County partners for their swift and courageous response,” said Lt.Col. Alfredo Escanio, FWC South Region Deputy Director. “Their actions demonstrate their bravery and dedication to protecting the community.”
The victim was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment.
