JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A violent carjacking on Sunday evening turned into a fiery crash that could have ended in tragedy — but quick police action saved lives, including that of a 1-year-old child still inside the stolen vehicle.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said its officers responded to a distress call on 103rd Street, where a woman had been forcefully carjacked. The suspect drove away with the woman’s 1-year-old child still buckled in the back seat.
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Officers said they quickly located the stolen vehicle just a few streets away. As they attempted to stop the suspect, he crashed into another car, causing a fiery wreck that trapped an innocent driver inside a burning vehicle.
JSO says that’s when Officer Almin Residovic ran toward the flames without hesitation. He found the trapped driver with her hair on fire and pulled her from the burning car. He immediately provided emergency medical aid until additional help arrived.
Meanwhile, another officer safely removed the 1-year-old child from the stolen vehicle unharmed. A 14-year-old passenger escaped the burning car before officers arrived.
Police say the suspect, 34-year-old Richard Younger, was arrested at the crash scene. He faces multiple felony charges, including carjacking, leaving the scene of a crash without rendering aid, aggravated fleeing from law enforcement after a crash, and false imprisonment of a child under 13 years of age.
“We are incredibly proud of Officer Residovic’s courage and the swift, coordinated response of all the officers involved,” the agency said.
The woman, whom JSO says they spoke with by phone, expressed deep gratitude for being alive and for Officer Residovic’s quick actions and that she is currently recovering from her injuries.