CBS 2 Chicago wbbm7801059 670 The Score

Local

State Troopers Rescue Woman From Burning SUV

View Comments
File Photo (Tim Boyle/ Getty Images)

File Photo (Tim Boyle/ Getty Images)

Don't Miss This
Don't Miss This

UPDATED 03/05/12 6:22 a.m.

DOLTON, Ill. (CBS) – A 34-year-old woman is facing drunken driving charges, after two Illinois State Police troopers were injured while pulling her out of her burning sport-utility vehicle on I-94 in Dolton over the weekend.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Michele Fiore reports, police suspect Tamara Jackson was speeding southbound on the expressway when she took the Sibley Boulevard exit around 4 a.m. Sunday. Her black 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe lost control and struck a tree.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Michele Fiore reports


The SUV caught fire and the driver was trapped inside.

Illinois State Police District Chicago Sergeant Henry Spight and Trooper Jacqueline Del Villar arrived on scene and found the Tahoe engulfed in flames, state police said.

“When I looked inside, both of her legs were stuck underneath the dashboard,” Del Villar siad.

Witnesses told them the driver was trapped, and Spight and Del Villar had to pull her out of the burning vehicle.

“At that time, a bystander came to assist, and we attempted to pull her out of the vehicle, and at that time, Sergeant Spight arrived on scene,” Del Villar said.

Added Spight, “The driver’s compartment had flames coming toward the victim’s legs, and I ran to the back of my car in my trunk – we carry fire extinguishers – ran up to the vehicle and started to douse her legs.”

Both Spight and Del Villar suffered burns and cuts to their hands, as well as smoke inhalation. Both officers were treated at an area hospital.

Jackson, of Chicago, was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Jackson has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

View Comments
  • Chgotchr

    So these 2 troopers risked their lives and got injured to save another drunk driver! They deserve awards but it could have turned out much different.

  • http://magnoliahousechicago.wordpress.com Magnolia House

    Reblogged this on Magnolia House.

blog comments powered by Disqus
Listen Live!

RSS Most Popular News

Follow CBS Chicago

Like us on foursquare

RSS Contests & Promotions

  • Benjamin Moore Which Team Colors Matter Most? May 24, 2013
    Which Team Colors matter most to you? Either way, you could be a winner! Just sign up now for a chance to win $500 Depot Dollars to the Chicago Sports Depot to pick up some gear with your favorite team colors as they battle it out this week!
  • AVEENO® MEN’S “Building a Healthier Foundation” Sweepstakes May 21, 2013
    AVEENO® Men’s™ knows your family is your foundation. And to take good care of them, you need to take good care of yourself. Win a family day at the ballpark from AVEENO® Men’s™.
  • Join Hankook Tire To Reel In The Next Big Catch May 20, 2013
    Join Hankook tire to reel in the next great catch! Click here to go to www.TirePrize.com and enter for your chance to win the ultimate fishing excursion in Puerto Rico!
  • Meet Jim Rome On Set In Los Angeles May 20, 2013
    AutoZone and the Jim Rome Show are giving one winner and a guest a trip to meet Jim Rome in Los Angeles on the set of his Showtime television show! Enter for your chance to win!
WBBM Newsradio 780, Radio Stations & Broadcast Companies, Chicago, IL

Twitter Updates