A local sheriff’s deputy rescued a man from a burning vehicle Sunday near Palma, after police say he dropped off the road and eventually struck a tree.
According to Marshall County Sheriff’s Department reports, Deputy Luke Rudd was working an existing wreck Sunday on U.S. Highway 68 West when he observed a driver speeding past. Rudd attempted to stop the vehicle and noticed the driver cross the center line of the road and drift into the grass.
The vehicle then dropped off the right hand side of the road near Palma Road and struck a ditch. The car overturned twice before it struck a tree. The engine compartment of the car caught fire, with the driver trapped in the vehicle, according to MCSD.
Rudd broke the rear windshield out of the car and crawled into the vehicle. He cut the driver’s seatbelt and pulled him from the rear of the car out to safety.
The driver, Samuel Overby, 30, of Benton, was taken to Marshall County Hospital Emergency Room, where he was treated and released to police. Overby was taken to the Marshall County Detention Center on suspicion of DUI, fleeing and evading and no insurance.
Rudd suffered minor injuries in the incident. He was treated in the ER and released.
Palma-Briensburg Fire Department and Marshall County EMS assisted on scene.