Good samaritan’s semi struck by burning vehicle

CLOVERDALE — The semi driven by a good samaritan who pulled over to help was struck by a burning vehicle in a Saturday-morning mishap on Interstate 70.

At 11:10 a.m., Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Deputy Rick Lambert was dispatched to a vehicle fire near the 39-mile marker on I-70.

Lambert arrived to find a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer fully engulfed in flames and Cloverdale Township firefighters attempting to extinguish the flames.

The burning vehicle had been driven by Fidel Perusquia, 46, Indianapolis. Through an interpreter, Perusqia told Lambert he had been westbound when he noticed smoke and flames coming from the vehicle.

He pulled to the shoulder and tried to remove articles from the vehicle.

George Donaldson, 59, Central Square, N.Y., was westbound in a 2016 International car hauler. He noticed the fire and pulled off to assist with the fire extinguisher in his vehicle.

As it continued to burn, the Trailblazer rolled forward and hit the car hauler, damaging two of the vehicles on the trailer.

Donaldson moved his semi forward and the Perusqia vehicle continued to roll, crossing the westbound lanes and coming to rest in the median against the cable restraint.

After firefighters extinguished the Trailblazer, it was towed from the scene.

Despite the damage to the two vehicles on the trailer, the semi and trailer escaped with minimal damage and was driven on to its destination.

Lambert estimated damage at $5,001-$10,000.

Perusqia was cited for driving without a license.