Burning truck rolls toward police & citizens – Must see videos

Sparta Police Department press release:

A Sparta Police Sergeant escaped serious injury on Rte. 15 yesterday, as he dove out of the way of a moving burning box truck. At 12:03 Sparta patrols were dispatched to the area of the 11 mile marker on the southbound portion of the highway to investigate a report of a truck fire.

The vehicle a 2004 GMC Box Truck owned by Gula Snacks LLC from Landing New Jersey was disabled on the shoulder with thick black smoke pouring out from the engine compartment. Officers escorted the driver, 34-year-old Jairo Simbaqueba and his 57-year-old passenger Romero Gonzalo both from Landing a safe area.

As the fire intensified the officers were forced for safety purposes to close the southbound lanes of Rte. 15. While doing so the Box Truck became completely engulfed in flames. The truck then began to quickly roll backwards towards two parked police vehicles.

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45-year-old Sgt. Joseph Pensado a 13-year-veteran saw the situation unfolding and ran to his car in an attempt to move it out the way. Before he could get the car in gear the interior of the car filled with thick smoke from the burning truck. To avoid being overcome by the smoke, the sergeant quickly exited his vehicle and attempted to run to safety. He was forced to dive out of the way of the burning truck. The trucked missed the police car and the sergeant continuing backward until it struck the guiderail on the left shoulder. The Sparta Fire Department later extinguished the flames. The truck was later towed from the scene.

Sgt. Pensado suffered a severely bruised right shoulder and injured his left knee. He was transported to the Newton Medical Center by the Sparta First Aid Squad where he was treated and released several hours later. He is not expected to return to active duty for at least several weeks.

This portion of Rte. 15 was closed and southbound traffic was detoured for approximately two-hours until the clean-up was complete. No other injuries were reported and charges have been filed. Corporals; Adam Carbery, Rick Smith, CJ Grauerholz and Officer Dan Elig assisted at the scene.