Officer Saves Woman and Her Elderly Mother From Burning Car

A Wadsworth police officer is being recognized for his efforts in helping two women whose vehicle burst into flames at the side of the road last week. According to the Wadsworth Police Department, it happened on state Route 57 on Jan. 2. Police were initially called to reports of a vehicle driving erratically. Officer Cody Lamielle, who was on routine patrol, spotted the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, Darlene Richmond, of Copley, told him she was having mechanical difficulties. Lamielle spotted smoke and flames coming from under the hood and was able to get the driver and her elderly mother to safety. “It's a blessing I'm alive. I have an angel, and maybe I have two at this point. I know I could be dead right now and I don't want to be dead. I have too much to live for." Richmond said her 88-year-old mother, Helen Miller, who has Alzheimer’s, was in the passenger seat.