CHESAPEAKE, Va. — There was an explosive scene along Interstate 64 westbound near Battlefield Boulevard on Friday, October 13th.
Chesapeake resident Michael Barnett recorded cell phone video moments before a vehicle rose in flames.
According to state police, a two-vehicle crash happened at 1:14 p.m. Barnett said that when he saw the crash, he pulled over to assist the woman, and other motorists also pulled over to help with the crash.
"I saw all the airbags deployed and everything," Barnett said. "We did talk to the lady. She was an elderly lady who said, yes, I'm fine. I'm just dazed a little bit."
Barnett said jumping into action comes naturally to him. He served 22 years in the U.S. Army, and in his last 12 years, he served as a combat medic.
"We went over there and picked her up, carried her over to the jersey wall and set her down," Barnett said. "I think it was a minute and a half, two minutes later, flames shot from underneath the vehicle."
He described feeling the heat from the burning car as he filmed the video of the incident, despite being about 35 feet away.
Medics eventually arrived on the scene as well as police. The incident proved to be a memorable "Friday the 13th" for Barnett.
"One of the other people helped take the lady out, and everything they said 'Friday the Thirteenth' strikes again," Barnett said.
Barnett did not learn the woman's name, but he hoped she recovered well after that scary moment.