Deputies, motorist rescue driver

By Amaris Elliott-Engel / The Citizen

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 11:59 AM EDT

Cayuga County Sheriff's deputies and a passing motorist rescued a driver pinned in his Dodge Durango after the vehicle rolled over several times and sheared a utility pole Monday morning, the sheriff's office reported.
Jeremy J. Liddle, 35, of 55 Cayuga St., Auburn, was driving north on Route 34 in Sennett when his vehicle left the east side of the road, sheared a utility pole, overturned several times and came to rest on the driver's side.

Deputies David Harkness and Timothy Axton encountered the one-car accident at 2:04 a.m. at the intersection of Route 34 and County House Road in Sennett as they transported a person to be arraigned in a municipal court after the person `had been arrested during the previous shift.

The vehicle was sitting in standing water collected in a depression at the corner of the intersection.

Harkness and passing motorist Matthew Willis lifted the vehicle to free Liddle and begin first aid treatment. Axton notified Cayuga County's 911 center. Rural/Metro ambulance and Sennett Rescue responded to the scene.

Liddle was transported to University Hospital in Syracuse. He was listed in fair condition Monday evening.

Sheriff David Gould praised Axton, Harkness and Willis as “true heroes” in a news release.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing.

“He wasn't in a condition (to be interviewed). They did the investigation as best as they could,” Lt. Michael Wellauer said.

Liddle was interviewed later at the hospital, Wellauer said.

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net

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