Feb. 02--OCEAN COUNTY, N.J. -- Approaching the fiery scene, Barnegat police officer Lauren Keilitz had no clue she'd be jumping into a burning car to save someone's life.
"We didn't expect anyone to be in the car because the fire was pretty bad," Keilitz said.
It was late Monday night when Keilitz and her partner, Michael Diblasi, responded to a 9-1-1 call on Biscayne Road and saw a 2005 BMW 7 series on fire. Neighbors were crying out that 57-year-old Mario Dischiavi was stuck inside. The dash cam video captured what happened next officers struggled to get the man out.
"He seemed incoherent; he didn't seem aware that the car was on fire," said Keilitz.
The 5'6" officer tried to get him out through the passenger side but failed. So she quickly scurried around to the driver side where the flames were heaviest and managed to find a break in the wall of fire and yank him from the seat.
"We tried to pull his jacket and asked Mario to get to his feet. Even at that point, he was standing near the car and we had to drag him away," said Keiltz.
Eventually, they managed to get Dischiavi away from the car and the fire department arrived. He was taken to a nearby hospital and was treated for smoke inhalation. Fire investigators now believe Dischiavi fell asleep in the car, with the car turned on and his foot on the gas. That caused the car to overheat and start the fire. For neighbors, the explanation is believable. They say Dischiavi is their friend and has trouble sleeping, and at times he'll sit in the car and listen to music to relax.
Keilitz said Dischiavi told her the last thing he remembered was listening to Johnny Cash.
Both officers are back to work today. Dischiavi declined to comment.
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