A driver involved in last week’s fiery crash on I-66, saved the life of a 12-year old boy by pulling him out of a burning vehicle, according to Virginia State Police. Unfortunately, the man was not able to save the driver of that car.
The evening crash occurred at approximately 8:30 PM during heavy traffic on I-66. Three motor vehicles were involved in the deadly crash at the Route 234 bypass, exit 44 on I-66. A Virginia State Police spokesperson said that a Toyota Rav4, a 2007 Toyota Camry, a 2006 Audi and a 2003 Acura were all involved in the fatal accident on Friday night.
Virginia State Police state that the westbound Acura headed towards the other vehicles and the driver was not able to stop. The Acura ended up colliding with the Rav4. The immense impact of that collision caused the Rav4 to hit the Camry and Audi before it burst into flames.
It was the driver of the Acura, Paul Bauman of Potomac Falls in Loudoun County, who dragged the boy out of the burning vehicle, according to a Virginia State Police Spokeswoman, Corinne Geller. Bauman then attempted to pull the woman driver out of the burning vehicle, but was not successful because the fire was spreading too quickly.
The boy was not injured, but was still taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution. Virginia State Police say that no one else was hurt in the accident.
All of the westbound lanes of I-66 were closed until after midnight. Traffic was backed up for miles. No charges have been filed at this time, but Virginia State Police say the fatal accident is still under investigation.