Ohio Police Officers Rescue Injured Driver from Burning Rollover Crash
CORTLAND, Ohio — In a harrowing rescue that unfolded late on December 27, 2025, two Ohio police officers pulled a severely injured driver from a burning, overturned vehicle after a rollover crash near state Route 5 and Bradley Brownlee Road. The Cortland Police Department released body camera footage showing officers John Mosora and Chuck Lohry breaking through the sunroof of the wrecked car to reach the trapped man as flames rapidly engulfed the vehicle.
The incident began shortly after 11 p.m. when the Trumbull County 911 Center received a call reporting an unknown fire in the area of Bazetta and Mecca townships. Upon arrival, officers Mosora and Lohry found the vehicle had torn through a fence, flipped onto its side, and caught fire. The driver was trapped inside, repeatedly telling officers, “My leg is broken. I can’t move. I can’t move. Give me a second.”
“We don’t have a second,” one officer responded urgently, emphasizing the immediate danger as smoke filled the interior of the car. With flames spreading quickly, Mosora attempted to access the driver through various entry points before smashing the sunroof to reach him. Officers urged the driver to assist in pulling himself free, with one exclaiming, “Let’s go. Let’s go. We ain’t waiting. You gotta help me help you.”
While Lohry used a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames, Mosora dragged the injured man from the burning vehicle just moments before the fire intensified. Mosora sustained minor injuries during the rescue, but the driver was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Multiple fire departments arrived on scene to extinguish the blaze and provide emergency care.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating the crash. Authorities have not yet released the driver’s condition or the cause of the accident. The Cortland Police Department’s swift response and the officers’ courageous actions were credited with saving the driver’s life in a situation that could have quickly turned fatal.
This rescue highlights the critical role local law enforcement plays in emergency response and public safety. The use of body-worn cameras, as seen in this incident, provides valuable transparency and insight into the challenges officers face during life-threatening situations. For more information on vehicle safety and emergency response protocols, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers extensive resources.
The incident also underscores the importance of coordinated efforts between police and fire departments in managing crash scenes involving fire hazards. The U.S. Fire Administration provides guidance on fire prevention and emergency response that can be crucial in such scenarios.
Residents in the area are reminded to report emergencies promptly to the National 911 Program to ensure rapid dispatch of emergency services. The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is conducting the crash investigation, is part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, which oversees highway safety and law enforcement coordination across the state.
As the investigation continues, this dramatic rescue serves as a testament to the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their own safety to save lives in critical moments.
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