Retired Firefighter Pulls Driver From Burning Car

Authorities say a retired firefighter pulled an injured motorist to safely shortly before the man's vehicle was engulfed in flames.

Holmdel Police Sgt. Vincent Imperato tells the Asbury Park Press that 21-year-old Todd Stathum was driving on a local roadway when he struck a curb and crashed into a telephone pole around 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

Nicholas Crosta of Toms River saw the crash occur and quickly helped Stahum get out of his burning car. The fire then spread from the vehicle to the pole and some overhead wires as police arrived on scene.

Stathum sustained minor injuries in the crash and was treated at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel.

The roadway was shut down for about an hour due to the accident, which remained under investigation Sunday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)