Deputy pulls man from burning car following early morning wreck

FINCASTLE -- A Crawfordsville man escaped with his life early Friday morning in large part thanks to Putnam County Sheriff's Department Detective Matt Biggs.

Emergency personnel were dispatched to a one-vehicle wreck on U.S. 231 near County Road 1000 North, just south of Fincastle, at 12:08 a.m. following a report of a personal injury accident with a vehicle engulfed in flames.

Biggs, who was getting ready to go off duty for the evening, heard the call as he approached U.S. 36. Upon arrival, he observed Nathan Harpel, 24, Crawfordsville, inside the burning 2003 Ford Taurus, which was rolled over on its top with the passenger side of the vehicle pressed up against an embankment.

Harpel was said to have been going southbound on U.S. 231 when he hit a curve in the road, crossed left of center and left the roadway on the east side.

"We don't know why he left the road," Biggs explained. "He crossed over into the northbound lane, hit the ditch and flipped over on his top."

With the driver's side door handle already melting, thus being too hot to touch, Biggs used his flashlight to enter the vehicle, which had flames entering the cab through the passenger side as well as through the dashboard.

With the help of Joe Day, a Parke County man who reported the crash, Biggs was able to drag Harpel, who was pinned inside of the vehicle, to safety just as the tires began exploding.

"I was in the right place at the right time when the call came in. If a few more seconds went by, that guy wouldn't have made it," Biggs added. "It came out at 12:08 a.m. and I had him out of the vehicle at 12:13 a.m. I'm thankful that Day helped pull him the rest of the way out, otherwise we all would have been in trouble."

Harpel was transported via Operation Life to Putnam County Hospital for treatment of several contusions. Alcohol is said to be a factor in the wreck.

"The real hero in this scenario is not law enforcement," Biggs said. "The people who need to be recognized are our civilians who willingly risked their lives to step in and help. For that, I am truly grateful."

Assisting at the scene was Lt. Virgil Lanning, Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Department, Russellville Volunteer Fire Department and PMH Ambulance.