A veteran NBC News correspondent helped rescue a driver from a burning car after the teenager crashed into a concrete barrier on the Capital Beltway in Montgomery County at high speed.
The journalist, Tom Costello, told NBC News he was driving home Tuesday when he witnessed a “horrific crash” as the car broke into pieces, flipped and landed on the ground.
“It was smoking. It was crushed,” Costello told NBC News’ Hallie Jackson.
He said he called 911 and then rushed to the car to open the driver’s side window.
He said the teen appeared stunned and was gazing out the front windshield.
Costello said he didn’t want to move the teen but that he noticed a fire starting beneath the vehicle. So, he told viewers, he waved his hands to get help from other drivers.
An orthopedic surgeon and a nurse stopped to help, and they and Costello carefully removed the 17-year-old driver from the vehicle and carried him down the off-ramp before the car exploded.
“I think the lesson here is watch your kids,” Costello said, adding later: “I can’t believe he’s alive, to be honest with you.”
Pete Piringer, a spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, praised those who helped the teenage driver.
“A young driver is alive today due the decisive actions taken [by] passing motorists, including long-time Montgomery County resident @NBCNews Reporter @tomcostellonbc & several others, who stopped to help prior to the arrival of emergency responders,” Piringer said on X.
Costello joined NBC News in 2004 and is based in the Washington bureau. He previously worked for CNBC Business News.
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