The State Highway Patrol has filed numerous charges against the driver of a SUV that ran off the roadway and burst into flames. Two Good Samaritans who stopped at the scene are being credited with saving the lives of a 1 year-old child and the injured driver before the SUV was engulfed in flames.
Around 4:30pm Sunday, troopers said 28 year-old Oscar Vazquez of Zebulon was traveling on Earpsboro Road in northern Johnston County. Vazquez sideswiped an approaching car as he drove in a reckless manner then traveled off the two lane road striking a tree.
The SUV suddenly caught on fire. Vazquez was trapped inside while his one year-old son, who had been riding in a car seat, was partially ejected but still in car seat.
Two Good Samaritans rushed to the burning car. One of the men was Antonio Arias, a volunteer firefighter. He unbuckled the 1 year-old from the car seat and handed him to another passerby.
Antonio and a second person were able to pull Vazquez out the passenger side window of the SUV moments before flames completely engulfed the vehicle.
The child was treated for minor injuries and released. Vazquez was hospitalized at WakeMed in critical condition.
Trooper B.J. Stewart said Vazquez was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the crash. He estimated Vazquez was traveling between 65 and 70 miles per hour in a 55mph zone when the crash occurred.
Oscar Vazquez has been charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving, child abuse, fictitious tags, and driving without insurance.
