Officers pull fleeing suspect out of burning car

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Dramatic bodycam footage released by police in Westchester, New York, shows the moment officers pulled an unconscious suspect out of a burning car after he crashed while fleeing police on December 1.

Footage released by Westchester County Police Department shows Officers Niall Nerney and Christopher Duffy pursuing a Chevy Malibu driven by an unnamed suspect.

The Malibu had been reported to police when it sideswiped another car and fled the scene, Westchester County said.

In the video, the Malibu is seen engulfed in flames after it collides with another car. Officers Nerney and Duffy quickly get to the scene, and drag the unconscious driver out while attempting to put out the fire.

The suspect and Nerney were taken to hospital, where the latter was treated for smoke inhalation and cuts. A 33-year-old woman, and seven-year-old child, occupants of the vehicle struck by the suspect, were also taken to hospital, but found to be uninjured.

Officers Nerney and Duffy will be nominated for a lifesaving award for their efforts in saving the suspect, the Office of the County Executive of Westchester said.

“This suspect fled at high speed on a rainy night, putting himself, other motorists and these officers in jeopardy. Regardless of this man’s reckless behavior, Officers Nerney and Duffy did not hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way to save him as the flames spread. I commend them for the decisive, skillful and courageous actions they took when every second mattered," Commissioner Terrance Raynor of the Department of Public Safety said.

The 51-year-old driver of the crashed Malibu was charged on counts including Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Fleeing an Officer in a Motor Vehicle, and Reckless Driving.