OSP: Good Samaritan Pulls Drunk Driver from Burning Wreckage

A Mill City man was credited by Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers with helping to prevent more serious injuries to the driver of a vehicle that rolled several times before catching fire on Highway 22E near Stayton early Monday morning.

On June 29, 2009 at approximately 6:10 a.m. a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer driven by ROGELIO CRUZ-MALDONADO, age 28, from Vancouver, Washington was westbound on Highway 22E near milepost 12 when it swerved across the eastbound lane at exit 12 and into the median.  The Blazer rolled several times and caught fire.

Witness NATHANIEL ACUFF, age 27, from Mill City, was following the Blazer when it crashed.  ACUFF stopped and found CRUZ-MALDONADO unconscious inside the Blazer as the fire was starting.  ACUFF pulled CRUZ-MALDONADO from the vehicle to safety and stayed with him awaiting medical, fire and police responders.

Fire personnel from Stayton Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire that nearly destroyed the Blazer.  They transported CRUZ-MALDONADO to Salem Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office investigated the crash.  Senior Trooper Jay Davis cited CRUZ-MALDONADO at the hospital for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving and Driving While Suspended.

Highway 22E was closed in both directions at the crash scene until about 7:30 a.m.  ODOT and Marion County Sheriff's Office also assisted at the incident.