Paramus officers save driver after car flips, catches fire

PARAMUS, NJ (WABC) -- Paramus police are being credited with saving the life of a driver who crashed into a utility pole early Monday.

Officers responded to a serious motor vehicle crash on Route 17 southbound in the area of West Ridgewood Avenue just after midnight.

When they arrived, they found that the drive of a black 2015 Nisan Altima lost control of the car, left the roadway and smashed into the pole. The vehicle then rolled over onto its roof and caught fire.

Authorities say the officers -- identified as Gil Maynard, Anthony Mordaga and Timothy Reed -- extinguished the fire, broke the side windows of the car and pulled out the dazed driver.

The driver was identified as 28-year-old Andrew Ishak, of Waldwick. Ishak was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center with moderate injuries.

When the pole and attached electric lines came down, some of the wires snapped and broke the front window of Lighting Superstore located at 678 Route 17 south.

Route 17 south was completely closed from the time of the crash until about 8 a.m.

The right lane and shoulder are expected to be remained closed until noon on Tuesday, July 14.