BELLINGHAM, Mass.- A driver was rescued from a burning vehicle just moments before it became fully engulfed in flames following a crash into a utility pole Friday evening, authorities said.
According to an official report, emergency crews responded to Farm Street at approximately 5:44 p.m. on March 20, 2026, for a single-vehicle crash involving fire and an operator trapped inside.
First responders arrived to find a dangerous scene, with the vehicle on fire and live electrical wires down across the roadway. Officer Ryan Gonthier approached the vehicle with a fire extinguisher, maneuvering through heavy smoke and around the wires in an attempt to suppress the flames.
With assistance from bystanders Matthew Hunt and John Mercier, the officer was able to remove the trapped driver through a damaged window. Moments after the rescue, the vehicle was fully consumed by fire. The driver was moved to a safe area and evaluated at the scene by the Bellingham Fire Department. No further information on the driver’s condition was immediately available.
Officials said the actions of the officer and the two bystanders likely prevented a fatal outcome.
Preliminary findings indicate the vehicle lost control before striking the utility pole. Police said the driver will be issued a criminal summons on charges including negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding greater than reasonable and proper, and a marked lanes violation. The driver is expected to appear in court at a later date.
The incident remains under investigation.
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