Officers rescue people from car seconds before explosion

MONROE, N.C. — A dramatic rescue just seconds before a car burst into flames likely saved three lives late Monday night.
 
Monroe police said a man and woman were arguing in their car, driving on Morgan Mill Road.
 
Lacolya Crump was driving when police said one of her two passengers jerked the steering wheel. 
 
The car careened into a building at the corner of East Windsor Street and Morgan Mill Road.
 
The corner of the building was blackened with fire damage and bricks are strewn along the front walkway of the business.
 
Monroe Police Chief Bryan Gilliard said it was a close call.
 
"The officers got all three people out. It was nothing short of heroic," Gilliard said.
 
Police gave Channel 9 dashcam video showing officers following the ambulance to the scene late Monday.
 
The video shows flames shooting up and catching the car on fire moments after they arrived and got everybody out of the wrecked car.
 
"They put themselves in danger to rescue those three people. Regardless of what happened in the accident, they did their job," Gilliard said.
 
Police said Crump, along with her passengers William Stewart and Michael Sanders, were all taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
 
Police said they are still investigating and it's not clear what charges could be filed.

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