PHILIPSTOWN – Putnam County Sheriff Robert Langley Jr. is crediting one of his deputies and a good Samaritan with saving the life of a woman involved in a fiery car wreck last week.
Sheriff Langley released a “Hero Alert” on Monday, August 9, recognizing Deputy William Verrastro and a yet-to-be-identified passerby with life-saving actions taken on August 3, 2021, at about 10:11 a.m. on Route 9D in Philipstown.
According to Sheriff Langley, Deputy Verrastro was traveling south on Route 9D in the Town of Philipstown near Boscobel. Deputy Verrastro observed a white Hyundai behind him that suddenly veered off the road and collide with a tree, with the car catching fire. Deputy Verrastro immediately ran to the aid of the trapped motorist who was unconscious in the vehicle that was partially engulfed in flames. With the assistance of the unknown good Samaritan, the two gained access to the vehicle and freed the driver from the flaming vehicle.
Langley’s office is attempting to identify the good Samaritan. The Sheriff said that the two acted heroically by disregarding their own safety when they pulled the driver from the wreckage and carried her to safety as the flames engulfed the car. “Had it not been for the quick actions and teamwork in a life-threatening situation this woman would certainly have lost her life,” said Langley.
