SYLACAUGA, Ala. – A member of the Sylacauga police force was involved in a serious vehicle accident Thursday night.
According to SPD Chief Kelley Johnson, at approximately 6:19 on Thursday evening, Officer Blake McGhee was involved in an accident with a log truck on Hwy. 21 near Gristmill Road in Talladega Co.
Promptly following the initial contact of the vehicle, Officer McGhee’s vehicle caught fire. Due to extensive injuries from the wreck, Officer McGhee was unable to exit the vehicle on his own but pulled out of the wreckage by a fellow officer and three other men from the window.
Johnson said without the swift actions of Talladega County Sheriff Deputy Chris Rogers, a fellow member of the Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the other three men who were passers-by, circumstances could have ended very differently.
“We’re thankful for Deputy Rogers and the three men that stopped to help our officer get out of the burning vehicle. Their heroic actions saved his life,” Johnson said.
Despite the critical nature of Officer McGhee’s extensive injuries, he was responsive. Due to weather conditions, he was unable to be flown from the scene but ultimately transported by ambulance to UAB. Officer McGhee is medically stable at this time as he undergoes multiple surgeries for those injuries.
