A dramatic rescue captured on video shows how drug-impaired driving nearly turned deadly when an off-duty police officer and state assemblyman risked their lives to pull an unconscious PCP user from her burning vehicle.
Story Highlights
- Off-duty officer and New Jersey Assemblyman Al Abdul Aziz rescued unconscious driver from burning car
- Driver admitted to being under influence of PCP, highlighting dangerous drug-impaired driving epidemic
- Dramatic cell phone video captured life-saving rescue on Barbour Street in Haledon, New Jersey
- Four heroic bystanders acted within moments as flames engulfed crashed vehicle
Heroes Risk Lives as Drug User’s Car Erupts in Flames
Late Saturday morning on Barbour Street in Haledon, New Jersey, a suspected DUI driver crashed her vehicle, which immediately caught fire with her unconscious inside. Cell phone video captured the heart-stopping moment when an off-duty police officer, New Jersey State Assemblyman Al Abdul Aziz, and two other civilians rushed toward the burning wreckage. The four rescuers worked together to pull the unconscious woman from the flames before emergency services arrived on scene.
The driver later admitted to police that she was under the influence of PCP, not alcohol, when the crash occurred. This dangerous hallucinogenic drug is known to cause severe impairment, disorientation, and reckless behavior behind the wheel. The woman survived with only minor injuries thanks to the quick actions of her rescuers, though the outcome could have been tragically different without their intervention.
Assemblyman Describes Adrenaline-Fueled Rescue Effort
Assemblyman Abdul Aziz described the rescue as driven by pure adrenaline and the immediate need to save a life. The state representative emphasized that there was no time to think about personal safety when someone’s life hung in the balance. His involvement, along with the off-duty officer, demonstrates how public servants continue serving their communities even when not officially on duty.
Police officials have publicly praised all four rescuers for their heroic actions and are working to identify the two remaining civilians who participated in the life-saving effort. The video evidence clearly shows how quickly the situation unfolded and how coordinated the rescue became despite the chaos and danger. This incident reinforces the importance of civic duty and community involvement when emergencies strike.
Drug-Impaired Driving Threatens Public Safety
This incident highlights a growing concern about drug-impaired driving that extends far beyond traditional alcohol-related DUI cases. PCP, in particular, creates severe psychological effects including hallucinations, aggressive behavior, and complete disconnection from reality that makes operating a vehicle extremely dangerous. Law enforcement experts note that detecting drug impairment can be more challenging than alcohol detection, requiring specialized training and testing equipment.
Heart-pounding video shows cop pull suspected DUI driver from her burning car https://t.co/3P5FFX4sRN pic.twitter.com/nA3LXwsHnY
— New York Post (@nypost) October 17, 2025
The crash occurred in a residential area, putting nearby families and property at additional risk from both the initial collision and resulting fire. Community members who witnessed the rescue have expressed gratitude for the quick response that prevented what could have been a much more devastating outcome. Police continue investigating the crash while recognition efforts for all rescuers move forward through official channels.
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