A Driver Was Seen Inside a Fiery Car – What Happened Next Stunned Everyone

A fiery crash in quiet Battle Creek nearly turned tragic — until a group of everyday heroes leapt into action, pulling a man from a burning car moments before it was engulfed in flames.

On a chilly November evening in Michigan, the screech of tires and a deafening bang shattered the calm — and what unfolded next was nothing short of a life-or-death rescue that's now shaking the town with pride and admiration.

Flames Rise as Neighbors Sprint Into Action

It was around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, when a vehicle slammed into a cement barrier along Capital Avenue Northeast in Battle Creek and erupted into flames — with the driver still trapped inside.

Among the first to react was Megan Waschak, an off-duty dispatcher for the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority. Hearing the crash just outside her home, she dashed outside and saw the car already burning. "You could hear the tires squeal and then the big bang," Waschak recalled.

When she arrived at the wreck, a young man was already near the driver's side, frantically speaking to the driver inside. But time was running out.

The fire was spreading rapidly, and the man inside the car appeared confused and unaware of the growing danger. Though bystanders were already dialing 911, Waschak and the stranger made a split-second decision: They weren't going to wait.

'It Was Life Over Limb'

Waschak determined no one else was in the vehicle and turned to the young man, "It was life over limb at that point, we needed to get him out," she revealed. "He was not trying to get out. I don't think he would have gotten out by himself."

Together, the two managed to pull the stunned driver out from the growing inferno — but they weren't safe yet. Just moments later, another neighbor, Donovan Greer, rushed in to help drag the man even farther from the danger.

"If something exploded, we were right in the line of it," Waschak noted. "So, I was like, let's move him back, and that's when another guy came in to help."

A Chance Witness Refuses to Let Heroism Go Unnoticed

Unbeknownst to the rescuers, Battle Creek resident Robert Hegerberg had just left a Lions Club meeting and drove upon the scene. He didn't hesitate.

He parked, directed traffic, snapped photos — and made it his mission to make sure these heroes didn't fade into anonymity. "I saw something good. People need to hear about it," Hegerberg said.

In the days that followed, Hegerberg contacted the city's communications office, walked into City Hall, and then returned to the crash site itself, knocking on doors in search of the people who helped save a life. Eventually, he found Waschak — and later returned to City Hall with printed photographs of the blazing scene.

'Battle Creek Is Lucky to Have Neighbors Like Megan'

On November 26, the City of Battle Creek posted a public thank-you on Facebook, commending Hegerberg's refusal to remain silent and celebrating Waschak's astonishing bravery. "Robert doesn't do subtle," the city's post read.

The tribute noted that, as a dispatcher, Waschak is trained to guide others through crises over the phone — not step into burning wreckage herself. "Battle Creek is lucky to have neighbors like Megan, and bulldogs like Robert who refuse to let good deeds go unnoticed," the post continued.

Now, city leaders are working with the Battle Creek Police Department to recognize everyone involved. Citizen awards are already in the works, and efforts are underway to identify the third man who helped carry the driver to safety.

In a statement to People on December 2, Mayor Mark Behnke offered high praise for those involved. "Battle Creek is beautiful because of its people — the neighbors who step up when it matters most," he expressed. "One act of kindness can ripple out in ways we may never see, but it makes our community stronger."

"Often those acts happen quietly, without recognition, and that's why I'm grateful for good neighbors like Robert, who shine a light on the good deeds of others, like Megan and Donovan. Their courage and compassion reflect the very best of our city and make me proud to call Battle Creek home," concluded the mayor.

As the rescue story made its way through the community, emotional comments poured in from residents overwhelmed by the bravery on display. "What a beautiful story!!" one person wrote. Another added, "Love to hear good news, for a change." "I'm so glad to see [sic] good community amplified," said a third.

In the end, the courage of Megan Waschak, Donovan Greer, and others — along with Robert Hegerberg's relentless push to spotlight their bravery — turned what could have been a tragedy into a stirring tale of everyday heroism.