The Salisbury Police Department (SPD) today released the video of one of their officers rescuing a non-responsive truck driver from a burning tractor-trailer on I-85. The incident occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
SPD Lt. Corey Brooks was responding after hours to a separate incident shortly before 9 p.m. when he observed a tractor-trailer hit the retaining wall and catch fire. Without hesitation, Brooks stopped and ran to the truck's cab, where he found the driver, Michael Williams, unconscious. He immediately called the incident in over his police radio but did not wait for assistance before springing into action. Brooks pulled the driver out of the driver seat and over the passenger seat to free him from the burning truck.
An unidentified female driver assisted Brooks in pulling the driver to safety on the opposite side of the road across two travel lanes. As fire and EMS arrived on the scene, the driver started to gain consciousness. Williams was unaware of the situation but could walk on his own accord to the ambulance, where he was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.
Brooks has more than 24 years of experience in law enforcement, beginning his career with the East Spencer Police Department. He was hired by SPD in 2001 as a patrol officer and continued to rise through the ranks. His previous responsibilities included supervising the patrol division, training, and recruitment. He currently serves as lieutenant of the criminal investigations/violent crimes unit.
Brooks received a number of accolades throughout his tenure, including the City of Salisbury Keys to Excellence Bronze Award, Salisbury Police Veteran Officer of the Year, the 2016 Blue Line Brother Hood Award, and the Lions Club Salisbury Police Veteran of the Year award.
A Sumter, S.C. native, Brooks holds a criminal justice degree from Livingstone College, and an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the N.C. Department of Justice. Brooks is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Click here to watch the full video:
https://vimeo.com/citysalisburync/i85rescue