OSCEOLA COUNTY— An Osceola County Sheriff’s Deputy is being credited with saving a man’s life after he was trapped in a burning truck following a head-on collision last Saturday, July 4.
The harrowing rescue took place shortly before 2:00 p.m. on 18 Mile Road, near Mackinaw Trail, in LeRoy. The man was trapped after another vehicle reportedly crossed the center line, causing the crash and igniting his truck.
The aftermath of the incident, which was captured on the deputy’s body-worn camera, shows the quick actions of Osceola County Sheriff’s Deputy Lorne Juday and several bystanders. The vehicle quickly caught fire and the driver became trapped inside, unable to free himself as flames spread.
Bystanders and Deputy Juday worked together to extract the man to safety, just moments before the truck was fully engulfed in flames. The crash remains under investigation by authorities.
When Juday arrived at the scene, he found the truck already in flames with the driver still inside. Juday noted that the truck door was damaged in the crash and the man’s legs were partially pinned, making extrication difficult.
Deputy Juday, a veteran officer with nearly 15 years in law enforcement, described the severity of the situation. “We originally tried to open the door, couldn’t get it. And he said that he couldn’t get out,” Deputy Juday said.
He also reflected on the immediate danger. “If we can’t get him out, he’s going to burn alive right here in this car. And I can’t do this on my own. And I really need God to help us here.”
With the assistance of bystanders, who directed traffic and located a fire extinguisher from a nearby neighbor and a fireman’s tool he had in his patrol car, they tried to put out the fire. The flames went down but not totally out and they sprang back soon after. They soon realized they had to get him out immediately.
Together, they managed to pry open the frame of the truck’s door.The rescue occurred with only seconds to spare before the vehicle was fully consumed by fire. Body-worn camera footage shows flames in the cab around the man’s feet and on the seat next to him.
Deputy Juday detailed the imminent danger the man faced. “If we hadn’t have been able to get him out of the car. It was. There was only seconds left,” he said. “And so there was no time that if this didn’t work, then he would have died.”
Juday attributes the successful rescue to divine intervention. He expressed immense relief once the man was free. “It was just pure relief,” Deputy Juday said. “You know, a couple of times while we were working there, I called out to God to help us. And I 100% know that in that moment, he was there with us, helping us.”
He also stated that for two people to lift the man up and out of the window with his legs still trapped, “I don’t think we would have had the strength to do that without God helping us.”
Undersheriff Jed Avery of Osceola County praised Deputy Juday’s actions, stating he was not surprised by the deputy’s heroism. Avery commented on Deputy Juday’s dedication and faith. “I don’t think he’s a quitter. He’s a hard worker. He has, huge faith in God. And I think he would have done whatever he had to do to get that guy out,” Avery said.
”Despite being called a hero by others, Deputy Juday maintains his belief that he was fulfilling a higher purpose. “I was just doing what God put me there to do. And, I’m just honored that I got to be there to do that,” he said.
The man rescued from the burning truck is currently recovering in the hospital. The crash remains under investigation by authorities.