Bridgette Jones, 36, doesn’t remember the traumatic head-on collision Saturday night in Steelyard Commons that left her trapped in her burning car, but she wanted to thank the man who risked his life to save hers.
Cleveland Police officer Moe Varga was working a side job at Steelyard on Saturday when he saw the flames and took action.
The doors were wedged shut from the accident, I couldn’t get the door open," Varga said. "The back window was open just a little bit. So I was able to get my fingers in and give it a couple yanks and just break the window."
The fire got more intense.
“So I leaned into my torso, grabbed her up and pulled her back through the back window. As I picked her up and moved away seconds later you can hear the car just go poof, from behind me,” Varga said.
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"He's an angel"
While Jones recovered from her burns and other injuries at Metro Health Medical Center, she wanted to thank officer Varga, Metro made it happen.
“Hi, Bridgette. We met on Saturday night so I’m glad to see you’re alright,” Varga said to Jones.
“Thank you, you were doing the Lord’s work,” Jones said while seated in a wheelchair at Metro.
Jones’ mom and dad also wanted to meet the man who saved their daughter’s life.
“Without him she wouldn’t be here and I’m very grateful, gives me a different look at police officers now,” said Margaret Jones. “He’s an angel, I want to say."
“It’s a person in a car and the car is on fire, you pull the person out of the car you know,” said Varga.
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So what’s next for Jones?
"Actually, I had a job orientation tomorrow, so I just want to get myself together, so I can get out of here and go to work,” Jones said.
Jones is in fair condition, recovering from second degree burns. Her employer said they will hold her job as a home health aide.
No one in the other car was hurt.
PHOTOS: Cleveland Police Dept.
