Erie County Sheriff Deputies Save Man's Life

 On Sept. 29th, 2007, Lt. Paul Greiner and Deputy Scott Steva were enroute to Erie from Crawford County on Interstate 79.

Just before entering Erie County the Deputies saw a small group of people standing in a heavy rain storm on the side of the highway looking over an embankment

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The deputies stopped to see if they could assist, only to see a minivan overturned in a deep ditch with water rushing into the vehicle.

Upon hearing there was a person trapped in the vehicle the deputies immediately jumped into the water and attempted to pull the victim from the vehicle.

 The victim was upside down with multiple injuries and the water rising, Deputy Steva crawled through the driver side window while Lt. Greiner, on the driver side, cut the seatbelt and broke the steering wheel to free the victims pinned leg. After freeing the victims legs, the deputies pulled the person through the rear window to safety.

Rescue crews arrived shortly after and transported the person to the Medical Center.

The Chief of the fire department reported if it were not for the quick action of the deputies this would have been a fatal accident due to drowning.

Lt. Greiner injured his shoulder in the rescue and is presently off on medical leave.