Several people rushed toward the burning pickup and helped a 63-year-old man escape before flames consumed the vehicle.
MILWAUKEE, WI — Bystanders pulled a 63-year-old driver from a burning pickup truck Tuesday morning after he lost control and struck a parked vehicle on Milwaukee’s north side, according to police and local news reports.
The crash happened around 9:50 a.m. Nov. 3 near North 6th Street and West Chambers Street. Milwaukee police said the pickup was traveling west on Chambers Street when the driver lost control and hit a parked vehicle. Both vehicles caught fire. The driver was taken to a hospital, while police reported no other injuries. Investigators have not said what caused the driver to lose control.
People nearby moved toward the pickup after learning the driver was still inside. Joe Bednarek, who was working in the area, told FOX6 Milwaukee that he heard the crash and initially began recording what was happening. When he heard that someone remained in the truck, he ran toward it to help.
Bednarek tried to break a window but could not get through the glass, FOX6 reported. The driver eventually managed to open the door. Ryan Eigenfeld, another person who rushed to the scene, helped pull the man from the truck and move him away from the fire.
Eigenfeld told the station the driver appeared disoriented as rescuers worked to get him out. Video from the scene showed smoke and flames spreading around the pickup while people gathered near the vehicle. FOX6 reported that the truck was engulfed in flames less than 30 seconds after the driver was removed.
WISN reported that Shanin Mahan also took part in the rescue effort. Mahan alerted others that the driver was still inside as smoke filled the truck, according to the station. Mahan, Eigenfeld and Bednarek then helped move the driver toward a nearby alley, away from the burning vehicles, before emergency responders arrived.
The driver’s name has not been publicly released. Police said he was taken to a hospital for treatment, but authorities had not provided an updated condition as of Wednesday evening. FOX6 said it sought additional information from police but did not receive an immediate update.
Police have also not publicly explained why the pickup left its path of travel before striking the parked vehicle. Early reports from witnesses included additional descriptions of the moments before and after the collision, but police have said only that the driver lost control before the crash. The investigation remains underway.
The rescue drew attention because of how quickly the fire spread after the collision. Witness video captured by local news outlets showed several people moving toward the burning truck and helping the driver rather than waiting for emergency crews to reach him. No injuries to the bystanders or anyone associated with the parked vehicle were reported.
Milwaukee police continue to investigate what led to the crash. The driver’s current medical condition and any additional findings from the investigation had not been publicly released as of Thursday.
Author note: Last updated November 5, 2026.