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.

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• burning
• car