Two teenagers rescue couple from burning car

Debra Johnson informed Historic City News reporters that Flagler County Sheriff Donald W. Fleming would be recognizing two Dewitt, Michigan teenagers for their heroic actions early this morning when they pulled a Palm Coast couple from a burning car after the couple was involved in a fiery crash.

Two spring breakers, 17 year-olds Cody Decker and Luke Vaughn, told deputies they were at the entrance of Canopy Walk in Palm Coast around 12:52 a.m. when they saw a vehicle speed past them — seconds later, they heard a crash then saw the mangled 2002 Jaguar on fire on Palm Coast Parkway at Linear Park.

The two teens ran to the scene and saw the driver, Carlos Adams, 42, and his passenger, Tracy Lopez, 44, trapped inside the burning car. Within seconds, one of the teens broke the glass on the vehicle and bent down the door’s frame in order to remove the couple before emergency crews could get to the scene.

“The actions of these teens may have saved the lives of this couple,” Sheriff Fleming told reporters. “They stayed calm, acted quickly, and then removed the victims, and themselves, from danger. These young men deserve our thanks and recognition.”

First responders reported the vehicle struck two trees and nearly separated into two pieces — with the engine coming to rest on Palm Coast Parkway.

The vehicle, passengers trapped inside, landed in the median and caught two trees on fire.

The Palm Coast Fire Department extinguished the fires and the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

Adams and Lopez were transported to Halifax Medical Center. Both were in critical condition as of noon today. The teens were treated for minor injuries to their hands.

The Sheriff will hold the recognition ceremony Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at the Palm Coast VFW on North Old Kings Road in Palm Coast. Palm Coast Fire Chief Mike Beadle will be there on behalf of the city fire department.

Photo credits: © 2012 Historic City News staff photographer