A Valley man jumped into action to pull a man out of a burning car that crashed on the Loop 101 freeway near University Drive Saturday night. He claims he is not a hero, rather that his instincts kicked in and he could not let the man die.
“You’re not going to let someone burn to death,” Jorran Brookman said. “It doesn't matter who it is.”
Brookman had just gotten off a 24-hour shift at the airport. He was exhausted and just wanted to get home to relax, but his night took an unexpected turn.
“He shot directly in front of me, right into the wall,” Brookman said.
Brookman was relieved that he did not get hit by the car that spun out and crashed on the freeway. He jumped out, with his adrenaline surging, and ripped the door open. He said he knew the clock was ticking.
“I just saw the fire and said, ‘We have less than a minute to get this guy out of the car,’” Brookman said.
Brookman and another young man managed to pull the driver, who was about 200 pounds, out of the car and to safety.
“I would like to thank that young man who helped me get him out of the car because I don't think I could have done it without him,” Brookman said.
Brookman said the flames were so powerful and hot that they had to keep moving the man’s body further back from the car.
He said he did what he hopes others would do for him or his loved ones.
“You don't even think,” Brookman said. “You just see and react. I jumped out and ran up there and you do what you’ve got to do.”
The Arizona Department of Public Safety has not released the name of the driver. At last check, he was listed in critical condition.
