Video: Quick-thinking off-duty officer rescues man from burning car

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. - Cobb County police have released dramatic video of Officer Somani rescuing a driver from the fiery wreckage of a collision along Interstate 285 earlier this month.

The incident, which occurred on Dec. 5, shows the quick actions of the officer, who had just completed his shift and was on his way home.

Officer Somani, who has been with the Cobb County Police Department for nine months, described the events leading up to the rescue.

"I was on my way home after working a shift at Precinct 4," Somani said. "My daily commute consists of taking 285 to and from work, and on this night, I just happened to stumble upon something I did not expect. As luck may have it, I was at the right place at the right time."

Somani recalled how traffic began to build up as he traveled eastbound on I-285. It was then he noticed a vehicle on fire. Without hesitation, he pulled over to help.

"I got out of my car and noticed the driver's door of that burning car began to open," he said. "That’s when I ran to the car and found a driver trying to get out. A lot of everything happened really fast. I saw a burning car and someone inside. I knew I had to get in there and get that driver out before the car fully engulfed."

Somani said he could hear sirens in the background but realized help was too far away to make an immediate difference. Acting on his training, he quickly assessed the situation.

"The driver told me that he couldn’t get out and that he couldn’t move his leg, possibly due to some broken bones," Somani said. "So, I grabbed his leg and helped it out of the car. After I got him out, I assisted him in getting further away from the car."

Somani and the driver managed to reach a point of safety before the driver became unable to move any farther. At that moment, a bystander who identified himself as an off-duty medic arrived to assist. Together, they carried the injured man to the shoulder of the road. Moments later, the burning car was fully engulfed in flames.

Reflecting on the incident, Somani expressed humility about his actions. "Honestly, I didn’t feel like I did too much in that moment," he said. "But looking back, I saw that I just saved a life. It felt like my job to do what I did."

Addressing the rescued driver directly, Somani added, "If you’re watching this, I hope you’re having a speedy recovery, and I’m glad that I was able to help you at the right place and the right time."