JFRD called Ash Lawley a hero after she pulled a woman from a burning car on July 1. She spoke with First Coast News about the actions she took.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — J. Turner Butler Boulevard was shut down for hours around 8 p.m. July 1 when a crash turned deadly after a car caught fire.
Jacksonville Fire Rescue said one person was killed in the crash and another rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Nevertheless, first responders indicated that the second person likely would not have survived without the bravery of Ash Lawley, who is being hailed as a hero for pulling the woman from the burning vehicle and ensuring her safety.
Lawley spoke with First Coast News Friday, saying she saw the crash happen and made a choice to take matters into her own hands.
“My adrenaline was pumping, and I experienced that fight or flight response,” Lawley recounted. “The airbags had deployed, blocking my view inside the car. The front door wouldn’t open, and I began to panic, asking if they could open it. However, the person inside was not fully conscious… she was intermittently speaking but clearly seeking help.”
With all her strength Lawley was able to break the passenger window, freeing the woman from her restraint, but the woman couldn’t move.
“The flames continued to grow, and I realized she was injured,” Lawley continued. “I attempted to carry her on my back, but it wasn’t possible. So, the only option I had was to drag her to safety.”
Lawley then tried to pull the other person to safety.
“I tried to get the other person out, but I couldn’t. At all,” Lawley said. “There was no way I could pull her out. The flames started taking over more and so the best of my ability I had to choose between this situation and if I can get this other person away from the vehicle.”
Lawley made a difficult decision and pulled the passenger up the embankment to safety.
“At this point I’m out of breath screaming help,” Said Lawley. “Nobody is stopping just driving by.”
When Lawley turned back, the car was fully engulfed – with no way to get the driver out.
“She just kept saying my friend, can you save my friend?” Lawley said. “I go through waves of grief for a person I don’t even know and I go through shock for the events that took place, so I have moments where I sporadically start crying, I have images in my head I don’t know how to process yet.”
The passenger was taken to Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
