CHICAGO – Three members of the ICE Denver Special Response Team assigned to Chicago this week witnessed a traffic accident while and immediately stopped to render aid Sept. 25.

The team was traveling to the Broadview Detention Center in Broadview, Illinois around 3:20 p.m. on Thursday when they saw a tractor trailer collide with a small car, causing a four-vehicle accident.

Seeing smoke pouring out of one of the vehicles, they activated their emergency lights and ran toward the vehicle. Inside, an unconscious male was trapped and appeared to be in great distress.

"The brave officers whose quick actions and emergency training, saved a life during the recent car wreck exemplify what it means to be an ICE officer,” said Russ Hott, Chicago Field Office Director. “Their courage, preparedness, and commitment is truly inspiring.”

The officers used available tools to break the into the car, then removed the male’s seat belt. Simultaneously they began extinguishing the fire and attempted to pull the male out of the car. The driver’s legs were pinned delaying his rescue, so they moved quickly to get a breaching kit used for forcing entry.

Using the breaching kit, officers successfully extracted the driver from the burning car moments before it became fully engulfed in flames. The officers stayed with the driver while they waited for emergency medical personnel.

The driver was transported to the hospital for treatment and the officers suffered slight smoke inhalation and minor cuts from broken glass. EMS technicians cleared them at the scene.

ICE SRT is a tactical unit that handles high-risk situations such as dangerous warrant executions, apprehensions of criminal aliens, and assisting in critical incidents. These specialized teams are comprised of highly trained officers who receive extensive training in areas like firearms, tactical operations, and emergency response driving to ensure readiness for situations beyond the capabilities of regular law enforcement.