On Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at approximately 9:20 p.m. first responders were dispatched to a fully engulfed, single-vehicle collision on northbound I-75 at the 168 mile marker.
Sgt. Demoisey
A Kentucky State Police Trooper, Boone County Sheriff’s deputies and Kenton County Police officers arrived on the scene nearly simultaneously and immediately went to work trying to extinguish the flames that had already intruded the passenger compartment and to extract the pinned motorist.
The driver was constantly screaming for help as officers frantically worked to keep the flames off of his body by using their assigned fire extinguishers one after another. Those present risked their lives as they tried to pull the man from the burning car time and again even as detonations could be heard coming from the wreckage.
Sadly, David Harris Jr., 51 of Reynoldsburgh, Ohio succumbed to his multiple injuries one day later at University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio where he was flown after the fire was finally extinguished and he could be removed from the car.
Pauls
On Monday, July 23, 2018 Sheriff Michael A. Helmig recognized three of his deputies; Sergeant Jared DeMoisey, Deputy Nick England, and Deputy Richard Pauls for their heroic actions. Deputies England & Pauls received the Sheriff’s Citation for Bravery Medal and Sergeant DeMoisey received the Deputy’s Medal.
England, a seven year veteran and Pauls, an eight month deputy in Field Training Officer (FTO) status, never left the vehicle or the victim the entire time while fighting the fire in an attempt to save his life. They encouraged him to try and free his legs to aid in his rescue.
England
DeMoisey, a twenty-five year veteran, realizing the sustainability of the remaining fire extinguishers and recognizing the responding fire department couldn’t get to the scene due to being held up in stopped traffic, immediately started flagging the left lane traffic to proceed through to allow the fire apparatus clearance to get to the scene.
Boone County Sheriff’s office
