La Porte County, IN - First responders in La Porte County risked electrocution to save a woman at a crash site just before burning power lines above them dropped from a utility pole she had struck with her vehicle.

 

At about 9 p.m. on Sunday, police, medics, and firefighters were called to Indiana 39 and 800 North for a vehicle that rolled multiple times and hit a utility pole.

 

The vehicle, a 2014 Ford Fusion, was heavily damaged on all four sides with authorities reporting that debris from the crash included a muffler, wheel, and part of a bumper along with several alcoholic beverage containers.

 

Springfield Township Fire Chief Steve Marvel said the top of the pole broke from the impact, causing enough of a power surge apparently for the lines to begin sparking and catching the grass on fire about a half mile south of the crash site.

 

After being informed it would take representatives from Indiana Michigan Power Company 45 minutes to arrive and turn off the power, firefighters, despite the risk, began extricating the driver from the vehicle.

 

“We couldn’t leave her in the car. We weren’t sure what kind of injuries she had,” Marvel said.

 

The risk for electrocution became much greater, though, after the power lines above them also began sparking, catching fire as the driver was being secured to a stretcher. Realizing time was not on their side, all of the emergency responders grabbed the stretcher to quickly move the driver and themselves to a safer distance away. Moments later, police said, the power lines burned through and fell to the ground on top of the vehicle.

 

The driver, Alyssa Sheldon, 32, of Three Oaks, Michigan was taken by ambulance complaining of pain to her stomach and left arm. She reportedly exhibited symptoms of impairment and had an odor of alcohol on her breath. Charges are pending the results of a test from a sample of blood drawn from her at the hospital to determine if she was legally intoxicated.

 

Marvel said multiple people could have been electrocuted, had they still been at the vehicle when the power lines dropped. He said people inside vehicles coming into contact with power lines are usually protected as long as they stay inside because the rubber in tires keeps the current from flowing into the passenger compartment. However, he explained, the ground can still be electrified and send life-threatening currents into anyone else nearby.

 

La Porte County Emergency Medical Services Capt. Jennifer Sabie said the medics at the scene were a bit shaken up from experiencing such a close call, but seemed to be doing much better the next day.

 

“They’re doing well. I’ve talked with them,” she said.        

 

Sabie said medics are trained on how situations can quickly change, but the ones involved in the crash may not have expected it to be so sudden.

 

“They were worried about the situation and how fast it had escalated with the change in the power lines,” she said.

 

La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen credited the first responders for their bravery in getting the woman to safety.

 

“It could have been tragic. The quick actions of the personnel present highlight how well emergency services work together throughout LaPorte County," he said.