Santa Fe Police Service Aide Honored for Rescuing Driver and Child From Burning Car on U.S. 550
A Santa Fe Police Department police service aide received a life-saving award and a ribbon of valor from the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office for rescuing an adult and a child from a burning vehicle following a crash in Sandoval County, the Rio Rancho Observer reported. PSA Brittany Smith was recognized during an October 29 ceremony for her intervention during the August 7 incident.
Pursuit and Crash on U.S. 550
Sandoval County Undersheriff Joe Gonzales stated that Smith pursued a vehicle driving recklessly from Interstate 25 to U.S. 550 after recognizing the potential danger on August 7, 2026, at approximately 5 p.m. Gonzales said Smith called 911 to report the vehicle weaving across the highways before it veered into the median on U.S. 550, causing another car to strike a guard rail between two concrete pillars.
The force of the collision caused the guard rail to penetrate the vehicle’s front windshield, extending dangerously close to a young child who was secured in a car seat in the rear passenger compartment,
Gonzales said, according to the Rio Rancho Observer.
Rescue From the Burning Vehicle
Gonzales noted that Smith was not responding to a dispatch emergency or acting under the direction of another officer when she stopped to render assistance. As she approached the scene, the vehicle caught fire.
Without hesitation, and with little regard for her own personal safety, PSA Smith took immediate action, recognizing that every second mattered,
Gonzales said, as reported by the Rio Rancho Observer. She courageously removed both the driver and the young child from the burning vehicle, bringing them to safety, before the situation could become even more catastrophic.
Award Presentation on National First Responders Day
Commissioner Mike Meek pointed out that Smith received her award on National First Responders Day, highlighting the daily work of police, fire personnel, dispatchers, ambulance crews, and paramedics responding to emergencies.
Speaking after receiving the recognition, Smith described the incident as an intense moment and emphasized the contributions of others who stopped to help. I am very proud of the others that did stop,
Smith said, according to the Rio Rancho Observer. They did not second-guess themselves. There were so many people that stopped and helped. I couldn’t have done it without everyone.
The recognition follows recent commission actions addressing safety concerns along the stretch of U.S. 550 where the collision occurred.
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