Illinois State Trooper rescues man from burning car

JODI POSPESCHIL
Macomb Eagle/Journal Star

MACOMB A hug to say thanks was exchanged Thursday between an Illinois State Police trooper and the father of a man the officer pulled from a burning car last month.
Trooper Todd Adkisson was on patrol north of Good Hope on April 6 when he was dispatched to a one-car, speed related accident that he was only about seven miles away from. A car had jumped a ravine, flipped over and caught fire.
Two occupants had gotten out of the vehicle but a backseat passenger, Shannon Smith, 21, of Macomb, was still trapped inside.
Adkisson was joined by passing motorists Todd Hamilton of Macomb, John Corzatt of Media and Kevin Hopp of LaBelle, Mo. who all worked to free Smith. Adkisson said the rescue effort was hampered because the car had landed against a guardrail.
Hamilton and Adkisson attended a ceremony Thursday to receive commendations for their work. The other two motorists couldnt attend and will receive their awards later.
District 14 officials released a videotape of the rescue effort Thursday, which was taken from a squad car responding to the crash. The video shows the four men extinguishing flames on Smiths body after he was pulled from the car.
Adkisson sustained burns on his hands during his efforts was later treated at a Macomb hospital. He said Thursday that he was off work 10 days because of his injuries.
Smiths parents, Shannon Smith, Sr. and Stacy Smith of Macomb also attended Thursdays event and thanked Adkisson and Hamilton for what they did. They said their son is still hospitalized in Springfield and is undergoing his 11th surgery today.
Hes progressing real well, said Shannon Smith, Sr. He wants to meet all the men (who helped him) and thank them personally.
Seventy percent of Smiths body was burned in the accident and he sustained internal injuries. Most have his surgeries have been for skin grafts.
But hes in good spirits, Shannon Smith, Sr. said. He looks wonderful.
During Thursdays event District 14 officers stressed the importance of motorist safety in the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
District 14 Safety Education Officer Ed Howard called the accident a very poignant reminder of the hazards of unsafe driving.
Not everyone involved in a crash would be lucky enough to have an officer arrive in time, Howard said.
Shannon Smith, Sr. said his message to motorists would be slow down, be careful and watch the road.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• rescue
• burning
• car

[daprofitz]

This is my son we are so thankful for the officer, motorist and first and foremost GOD. The Burn and trauma team at springfield memorial hospital are the greatest ever. After 27 skin grafts internal injuries and countless other surgeries he is back in college WIU after working his way through therapy a year in community college he's back to doing him. We love our son very much oh and he just crossed with a fraternity. Thank you all stay positive and remember we are but one moment away LIVE!

[crusher1944]

NO MATTER HOW BAD YOU THINK COPS ARE >>>> they still risk their lives to help us<<<<<<<<< TGANK YOU TO ALL POLICE.

[ussoccerman88]

@handyreis oh shut up

[johngorgis]

Nice to see a good cop

[charlieeloise]

@apox555 there is no man in the sky or anyone resembling the bible in any way that is a lie, but there might be a higher power.

[BadMix]

@ssharpie17 Lets hope that one day neither one of us gets trapped in the back-seat of a burning car.

I know for sure that despite whatever you type on chat box´s or comments on the video channels on the Internet, if it gets that close to death God is the name you will be calling in a situation like that. I know I will, but I am a Christian so no surprise there, as He his my Lord and Savior whom I praise until the day I die.

May God bless and protect you all your life!

[ssharpie17]

I'm sorry, can someone show me where "God" is during this? All I see is humans saving the life of a young man. They're the heroes. They should be thanked and praised.

[Baronful]

@PsychoticIntrusions you heartless piece of shit. God is what THEY believe in and they believe that God let him live. there are people who believe in different cultures and believe in God. not everybody has to believe you thinking which is that God is some imaginary friend. pieces of fucking shit like you dont deserve to live. daprofitz's son almost DIED and daprofitz is thankful of the officers and God.

[MrBeerb4noon]

@jubbaj291 I think you are missing the point. This is type of heroism isn't broadcasted everytime that it happens on film but any "questionable act" by the police that makes its way to media hands will definately be exploited to the "court of public opinion" to the fullest extent. Average citizens often fail to recognize that police officers see the world through different eyes and are quick to make negative comments even on a video like this about police officers.

[sexytime1345]

i love seeing cops doing good

[andrewsapirate]

@apox555 very good point. I think the mother should be extremely grateful to the trooper and others who saved her son. And if it is in her faith, I see it ok for her to thank God that her son was kept alive long enough for those brave people to save her son. Thanks for being kind in your comments unlike other assholes out there

[genenco1]

It's videos (And actions) taken by simple citizens that give me still a glimmer of hope that the end of this world is still far in the future.