BOONE COUNTY – A woman who crashed in Boone County Thursday afternoon was rescued by two off-duty firefighters and the driver of a semi she hit, according to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office says Ashley Birge, 30, of Lebanon, was driving west on State Road 32 from US 421 around 12:50 p.m.
Witnesses reportedly called 911 to report Birge was speeding and swerving on the road.
As deputies were on their way to investigate, Birge crashed head-on into a semi. The semi immediately burst into flames, but the driver, 70-year-old Roger Hicks, of Detroit, Mich., was able to escape safely.
Birge’s car ended up in a field on the south side of the road.
Hicks, along with South Bend Fire Department firefighter Darrell Eiller from Argos and Rochester firefighter Kraig Smith, who were both off duty, pulled Birge out through the sunroof.
Her vehicle caught fire shortly after Birge was pulled out, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Her life was saved by these three individuals,” a Boone County Sheriff’s Office media release stated.
Hicks was not injured. Birge had a broken foot and complained of back pain.
Both vehicles were completely destroyed by fire, according to the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office did not state what caused Birge to drive erratically. Toxicology results are pending.
