News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Dan Green
(816) 622-0800
A120805
December 8, 2008

EMPHASIS: Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Rescues Unconscious Victim From Fire


On November 22, 2008, at approximately 1:22 a.m., Sgt. Dale O. Jinkens, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop A, Lee’s Summit, was conducting a traffic stop at the top of the ramp from westbound Interstate 70 to Little Blue Parkway. During the course of the stop, Sgt. Jinkens observed, in his rearview mirror, a vehicle fire on Interstate 70 at the bottom of the exit ramp to Little Blue Parkway. Sgt. Jinkens immediately concluded his traffic stop and responded to the scene. When he arrived, Sgt. Jinkens observed a van and trailer engulfed in flames. He contacted Troop A Headquarters and advised them to contact EMS.
The fire was the result of a small passenger car having impacted a trailer loaded with a commercial coffee cooker weighing several thousand pounds. The impact of the small passenger car with the trailer caused the tongue of the trailer to puncture and rupture the gas tank of the van. Initially it was unknown if the van was occupied, due to the large amount of smoke and fire. Sgt. Jinkens re-positioned his patrol car to block westbound traffic, which was driving through the crash scene. At this time, he observed a small passenger car on its top and on fire near the concrete divider.
Sgt. Jinkens exited his patrol car, and a bystander at the scene advised him that an unconscious person had been partially ejected from the side window of the small passenger car, and that the person was on fire. Sgt. Jinkens found an unconscious female trapped with her upper body pinned between her vehicle and the median barrier. Sgt. Jinkens used his fire extinguisher to put out some of the fire that was on and around the unconscious female. Sgt. Jinkens, with the aid of two passers-by, pushed the rear of the overturned vehicle away from the concrete divider creating enough room for him to reach the unconscious female that was still on fire and drag her from the car. Sgt. Jinkens quickly extinguished the fire on the victim’s upper body and then handed her off to others at the scene who then moved her to a safe area away from the burning vehicles. The victim was lifeless and did not appear to be breathing. Several individuals provided assistance to the victim. Those assisting included: Kansas City, Missouri, Police Officer Johnie Wyatt Jr., one unknown male, and two unknown nurses. The female victim later regained consciousness and continued assistance was provided until EMS arrived.
Considering the driver’s age, Sgt. Jinkens feared there would be children in the rear of the car. He used what was left of his fire extinguisher and a second fire extinguisher on the fire, and he used a flashlight to search the inside of the passenger car, which, much to his relief, did not contain any passengers. The female victim was transported to Centerpoint Hospital where she was stabilized. She was then transported to the KU Medical Center Burn Unit for treatment of third degree burns and other serious injuries.
The driver and passenger of the van were later located sitting in a passenger car near the scene. The driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The passenger walked away from the scene.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to recognize the three unknown individuals who assisted Sgt. Jinkens at the scene. Anyone with information about the identity of those three individuals is asked to call Sgt. Dan Green at 816-622-0800, ext. 273.
To request a copy of the in-car video, contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Custodian of Records at 573-522-4968.

(###)