A sheriff’s deputy from Florida is now stable after crashing into an overpass support in the Orlando area over the weekend.
The patrol car caught fire before the 33-year-old deputy, now identified as Matt Luxon, could be pulled from the patrol unit.
Luxon’s loved ones started a fundraiser to help with his recovery and medical bills.
According to the Orlando Fire Department, Lt. Benjamin Wootson is credited for saving the deputy’s life.
Wootson said he and his son were running late to soccer practice when they saw the crash happen.
“Within 15 seconds of pulling him out the vehicle was fully engulfed,” Wootson said.
Wootson said it could have had a different ending had he not been there to witness it.
“As we were turning left onto Orange, I noticed a patrol car coming towards us and I have a habit of always looking in my mirrors,” Wootson said.
After he saw the patrol car crash Wootson immediately turned around.
“I immediately pulled a U-turn at the next intersection and rushed back,” Wootson said. “By the time I got on scene, there was a little bit of flames underneath the vehicle, the engine compartment was already on fire, was disorientated.”
Wootson was off-duty but jumped into the rescue. He was able to pull Luxon out of the car and use the deputy’s radio to call for help.
Some good Samaritans offered a knife and seatbelt cutter.
Luxon survived and is stable.
“Training for the department for the last 10 years has pretty much prepped all of us for what we do on a daily basis on and off the job,” Wootson said. “God put me in a place where were running late on purpose. I was in the right place at the right time to save an individual.”
Wootson was reminded of the time when his own father saved someone from a fiery crash many years ago.
He knows his 8-year-old son will never forget what he saw his own dad do on Saturday.
“He was like ‘Yeah, I think I’m going to tell all my friends’ and I’m like, ‘Alright, that works, long as you understand,'” Wootson said about his son. “So this was a perfect example so he can see what we do as firefighters, first responders firsthand.”
He says no matter what, anyone can make a difference.
“If you’re ever in a circumstance and you see something, don’t just sit back and watch. Get out, do what’s right, make a change because those little things could be a long impact lasting, it could be generational changes,” Wootson said.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office believes Luxon was suffering a medical emergency when he crashed his car.
Wootson says he plans to meet with Luxon on Monday.
” let him know that it was not his time. He still has good to do on Earth,” Wootson said.
Luxon was transported as a trauma alert to a local hospital by Seminole County Fire Rescue crews. He underwent several surgeries Saturday that Sheriff Dennis Lemma says were successful.
“The support of our Seminole County, and the greater Central Florida community, will help Matt pull through now and into the immediate future. Your support matters now and will continue to matter. It is difficult to express how much it means to me, our agency, Matt, and his entire family,” Lemma said in a statement.
The Orlando Fire Department says Wootson’s bravery and sacrifice are a reminder of how firefighters are never off-duty.
They also said training and preparing for situations like this can make a difference when seconds count.
“I also spoke with Orlando Fire Department Lieutenant Benjamin Wootson, who heroically rescued Matt from his patrol unit moments after his crash and just before the unit caught fire. Lt. Wootson, who was off duty and also very kind when we spoke, simply reminded me that ‘this is what we do.’ I thank God that he was there at that time, and I expressed my gratitude and shared commendation to OFD Chief Charlie Salazar as well,” Sheriff Lemma said in a statement.
“I pray that I never receive the call again that tells me a member of our agency was in a serious crash with fire, with unknown but serious injuries,” Lemma said in a statement. “But I am grateful for those who step into immediate action as heroes and those who support our men and women along the way. God bless you all, and God bless you, Matt. We are all praying and pulling for your speedy recovery.”