Chief rescues woman from burning car

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Julie A. Briggs
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  An Air Force Reserve chief master sergeant assigned to Air Education and Training Command's security forces directorate here received the Airman’s Medal on April 27 for saving a woman’s life.

Chief Master Sgt. Joseph P. Salvaggio, also a lieutenant with the San Antonio Police Department, saved the woman after she had been involved in a two-car accident Nov. 21 on an interstate highway in San Antonio.

“It is not an opinion but a fact that (Chief) Salvaggio saved my life that morning,” wrote the 24-year-old woman in her statement. “I was later told that (he) was on his way home that morning because he was ill, and he still managed to be a hero that morning.”

Chief Salvaggio was on his way home about 3 a.m. when he saw headlights coming at him. He swerved to avoid the car driving east in the westbound lane.

Shortly after providing the car’s description to the police dispatcher, Chief Salvaggio came upon an accident scene. Two cars had collided trying to avoid the car that had nearly hit him.

The chief discovered six people standing in the road. Some were injured from the accident. Fearing for their safety, he moved them off the roadway before turning his attention to the damaged vehicles. That was when he noticed the engine of one car was on fire.

As he moved closer to the vehicle, Chief Salvaggio heard a woman screaming. The doors would not open, and the windows were stuck up.

“I freaked out when I saw her,” Chief Salvaggio said. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. Her legs were pinned under the brake pedals, and she had injured her calf muscles. She couldn’t move.

“She was screaming [that] she was one fire,” the chief said. “She could feel the heat coming from under the engine.”

The chief smashed the rear window and entered the car. He grabbed the woman from the front seat and pulled her out through the rear window. Within 30 seconds of escaping the car, it was engulfed in flames.

After carrying her to safety, Chief Salvaggio administered first aid until medics arrived. He then directed traffic until the police closed the interstate.

The woman recovered from her injuries and credits Chief Salvaggio with saving her life. The wrong-way driver was later apprehended and was charged with driving while intoxicated and failure to stop and render aid.

Chief Salvaggio said he credits his training for allowing him to keep a cool head. His military career spans 19 years, and he has been with the San Antonio Police Department for 16 years.

Established by Congress in 1960, the Airman’s Medal is awarded to servicemembers who distinguish themselves by heroic acts, usually at the voluntary risk of their own lives, in noncombat situations. (Courtesy of AETC News Service)