Good Samaritan saves police officer after collision with alleged drunk driver

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. — A Good Samaritan rescued a Middleborough Police officer from his smoking police cruiser after the officer was hit by a drunk driver, police say.

The rescuer, Garett Holmes, told FOX25’s Robert Goulston he thought the loud crash came from his television early Saturday morning, but he quickly found the source when he went outside.

“I was surprised with a head on collision how far apart the cars were,” Holmes said.

Police say Jacob Folsom was driving drunk when he barreled head on into police officer Richard Harvey’s police cruiser. Officer Harvey was on patrol at the time and driving in the oncoming lane of 19-year-old.

“To me, the kid was in no state to even be walking – never mind driving,” Holmes said.

The damage was so bad from the front end collision, the officer, at first, couldn’t get out of the car on his own.

While trapped, police say Officer Harvey’s cruiser was slowly filling with smoke from the crash. He also had a broken arm. Holmes was able to help get the door open.

“Just grabbed it and yanked it – put a little elbow grease out,” he said.

After Officer Harvey got out of the car, he approached the suspect.

According to court documents, that's when Folsom said, "I have an open bottle of vodka in the back seat, can you put it in the trunk before the cops get here?”

Police say he then failed a field sobriety test and his blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit.

We tried to contact Folsom at his home, but were directed to call his attorney.

His attorney told FOX25, “My client is a 19-year-old with absolutely no criminal record or prior problems with the police. He is a graduate of the Carver school system and a fine young man who is supported by his family.”

Officer Harvey we are told is on leave recovering with the broken arm and other injuries.

"Given the fact that he had a broken arm he was extremely professional and gracious in the way he was handling the situation,"

Folsom is out of jail and scheduled to be back in court in early April.

Cox Media Group