Kervens Lesperance survived the Nov. 24 crash thanks to the quick actions of several Suffolk County police officers who rushed to rescue him as flames engulfed his overturned Jeep Cherokee on southbound Nicolls Road.
At a press conference, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina praised the officers for acting without hesitation.
“As a first responder, when you come across a scene like we're gonna see today, you don't think, you just act,” Catalina said.
“I want to commend all of the officers here today for doing just that. They immediately sprang into action, ultimately saving Kervens’ life.”
According to Catalina, Highway Patrol Officer Craig Capobianco was the first to arrive at the scene at about 11:20 p.m.
The impact of the crash had sheared off the roof of Lesperance’s Jeep, causing it to overturn and ignite.
Two bystanders were already trying to pull Lesperance from the wreckage, but he was pinned beneath the steering column.
Capobianco grabbed Lesperance and tried to pull him free while K-9 Officer Michael Renna used a fire extinguisher to slow the flames.
Officer Robert Stroehlein then reached beneath Lesperance’s legs and helped free him.
As they pulled him from the wreckage, officers Joseph Nofi, Renna and Stroehlein quickly dragged both men away from the burning vehicle while Officer Robert Rosciano helped extinguish the remaining flames and render aid.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine called the officers heroes.
“They wear the uniform of a police officer, but they wear more than that. They wear the uniform of a hero,” Romaine said. “They responded and saved this man’s life.
”Meeting the officers for the first time since the crash, Lesperance expressed gratitude.“I just want to say, glad that I’m here,” he said. “Thank you for saving me.”