VIRGINIA TROOPER SAVES SELF, MAN FROM BURNING CRUISER

A Virginia State Trooper is being hailed a hero after saving the life of a man trapped in his burning cruiser. Trooper J.T. Mahalik was on routine patrol and had just pulled over a man in a pick-up on Interstate 66, east of Route 50. That man was being questioned in the passenger seat of the police cruiser after he didn't reveal his real name.

It was during that questioning that investigators say a drunk driver, identified as 34 year old David Stout of Centerville, plowed into them from behind. The impact resulted in a fire that at one point fully engulfed the police car. Trooper Mahalik suffered a spinal injury and burns to his leg but somehow, managed to pull the unconscious passenger out of the burning car.

"The valiant actions Trooper Mahalik took, in spite of his own injuries and considering how quickly the fire spread is incredible" said Captain Tracy Russillo, Fairfax Division VI Commander. "His quick thinking and response ultimately saved his life and the person inside his car" she added.

Retired Maryland State Trooper Rob Moroney says rear impact crashes, specially at high rates of speed often lead to ruptured gas tanks and fires. "You generally have a short delay between the time the crash occurs and before the gas leaks out and ignites. So there's a little bit of lead time so if you're on the ball, you can get out " Moroney says.

Trooper Mahalik is recovering at Fairfax Inova Hospital. Stout, who wasn't hurt is charged with Driving Under the Influence. The man in the pick-up disappeared from the hospital after giving a false name. VA State Police are looking for him.

Trooper Pulls Injured Man from Burning Police Car

A Virginia state trooper pulled a man from his burning police cruiser after it was hit from behind early yesterday on westbound Interstate 66 in Centreville.

Trooper J.T. Mahalik had pulled over the driver of a pickup on a tinted windows violation. As he was interviewing the man in his marked cruiser with lights flashing, the patrol car was hit by a Saab driven by David J. Stout, 34, of Centreville, police said.

The collision caused the cruiser to catch fire, and Mahalik, who was injured in the crash, dragged the unconscious pickup driver out of the cruiser before it was engulfed in flames. Both were taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital. Mahalik is in stable condition. The condition of the pickup driver was not available.

Stout, who was not injured, was charged with driving under the influence.

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