Patriots Darius Fleming Rescues Woman From Car Crash
(PHOTO: Stew Milne - USA TODAY Sports) 🕑 Read Time: 3 minutes
Posted Under: Patriots Commentary
(PHOTO: Stew Milne - USA TODAY Sports) 🕑 Read Time: 3 minutes
New England Patriots > Patriots Blog
(PHOTO: Stew Milne - USA TODAY Sports) In a story that first gained publicity through a Facebook posting by his high school, it was learned on Tuesday that Patriots linebacker Darius Fleming had rescued a woman following a car crash. The incident occurred a mere two days before the Divisional playoff match up with the Kansas City Chiefs about a mile or so away from Gillette Stadium near a Dunkin Donuts on Thursday night.
Fleming spoke with reporters on Tuesday to discuss the incident. According to ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss, Fleming told him “a large truck made an unexpected right turn on Route 1 while he was driving away from Gillette Stadium, which he said led to three cars colliding in front of his vehicle.”
Fleming was quoted saying, “I was about to go around it, but I noticed the lady in front of me, she kind of was jumping around the car, passenger seat, back seat, and I noticed smoke building up inside the car,” Fleming recalled. “I tried to open the doors and it wouldn’t work. So then I was just like, ‘I have to get her out of here. I don’t know if this lady can breathe or what…I started banging on the window. It wouldn’t break. So then I started to kick in the window and eventually it broke.”
“I didn’t panic, but I was just like, ‘I got to get her out.'”
Fleming was unable to get the name of the woman he rescued, she has been interviewed by local media since the incident was released but has chosen to remain anonymous according to the Walpole Police Department who also released multiple press releases regarding the incident Tuesday evening.
“On arrival the individual in question was not on scene and due to the nature of the accident there was no follow up to this information as the identity to an unknown good Samaritan had no bearing on this report. We are attempting to obtain more information at this time and will follow up with another release should we learn more.”
“She said that due to the nature of the accident her vehicle lost power and she could not get out. At that time a male who she believed to be a patriot approached the passenger side and indicated to her that he would kick in the passenger side window which he did. She then crawled over to the passenger side and the unknown male assisted her in climbing out of the window.”
“She said she did not recognize the player and did not realize that he was hurt at the time. She said that she would like to remain anonymous but that she would like to express her thanks to the individual who came to her aid.”
https://twitter.com/WalpoleChief/status/689940856208543745
https://twitter.com/WalpoleChief/status/689941889953480704
NECN’s Kathryn Sotnik gathered the following information from the victim.
Victim says she was "in shock" that a @Patriots player rescued her. Says he offered to stay with her. @dfleming58
— Kathryn Sotnik (@KatSotnik) January 20, 2016
Witnesses also say #DariusFleming's own truck was almost hit on Rte 1 when he was helping the woman. Thankfully it wasn't. @NECN
— Kathryn Sotnik (@KatSotnik) January 20, 2016
The witnesses to crash say #DariusFleming was wearing shorts, a Pats winter hat and a Pats hoodie. @NECN
— Kathryn Sotnik (@KatSotnik) January 20, 2016
I'm talking to someone who witnessed the crash and watched #DariusFleming pull the woman out of the car "like a rag doll." @NECN
— Kathryn Sotnik (@KatSotnik) January 20, 2016
That was only half the story for Fleming, as he ended up seeing game action against the Chiefs Saturday night following injuries to fellow linebackers Jamie Collins and Jerod Mayo, the latter out for the season. As stated in the Facebook posting, he “suffered a cut to his leg that required 22 stitches to close” following the rescue but Fleming still managed to play 16 snaps and contributed by gathering a tackle on defense and special teams.
“It was a little freaky, but anyone in that situation would’ve done the same thing, It’s just, I was there. I’m glad I could help her” he told Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
Unfortunately, some doubted the legitimacy of the story after some reporters were unable to find it in the police logs right away and Fleming expressed his disappointment at their insinuations over Twitter.
https://twitter.com/dfleming58/status/689923524899672064
Safety Devin McCourty was asked about the incident and shared his thoughts. Video courtesy of the Boston Herald.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=30&v=lRY0iXRFC5Q
The Fleming story comes almost a year to the day when former Patriot, Vince Wilfork, also made a route 1 rescue near Foxboro following the Patriots AFC Championship win over the Colts.
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