Emergency workers, Good Samaritan save man from burning car on I-55 near East St. Louis

By the time Emergency Medical Services workers could arrive to the scene of his burning car on Interstate 55 near East St. Louis, Joseph W. Laure was able to sit up and talk to them.

But if not for a pair of IDOT Emergency Patrol Vehicle operators and a passing Good Samaritan, the 60-year-old Defiance, Missouri resident might have died Friday in his black 2008 Kia Sportage, according to Illinois State Police.

According to release from ISP, Laure was traveling north on I-55 near milepost 2.4 when he veered off the road to the right side of the highway. IDOT EPV driver David Taylor, who had witnessed the crash, stopped to assist and found Laure slumped unresponsive behind the wheel of his car.

Taylor told state police that, at that time, he notices flames coming from the engine compartment of the car. He broke through the back window of the burning car and crawled to the front where he was able to put the car in park and open the driver’s side door.

Sheard Cedric, a passer by who stopped to assist, helped Taylor drag the unconscious Laure away from the car, which was soon fully engulfed in flames, the ISP release said.

Neil Grueninger, also the driver of an IDOT EPV, arrived in time to administer CPR until state troopers arrived.

According to state police, troopers administered Narcan — a medication commonly used to block the effects of opioids and decreased breathing — and glucose to revive Laure, who was sitting up and talking when EMS workers arrived.

Laure was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the ISP release stated. The car burned hot enough, according to state police, that it warped and melted part of the mile marker sign.

This story was originally published September 25, 2020 at 6:18 PM.