Deputies are investigating after a woman intentionally crashed her car into a Broward Sheriff’s Office station in Pembroke Park.
Deputies said the woman deliberately drove into the Pembroke Park/West Park Broward Sheriff’s Office, located at 3201 W Hallandale Beach Blvd. just after 11:30 a.m. Monday.
However, officials said, her motive remains unknown.
Ben Mendez, who was working inside the station said the woman was engulfed in flames inside the vehicle.
“I have grandchildren, so when I see people in need, I try to help,” Mendez said. “She was on fire. It kind of traumatized me.”
He was painting the interior of the BSO substation when the woman driving the car plowed into the station.
“It was a big explosion, like dynamite,” Mendez said. “So we came outside to see if maybe it was a car accident.”
Mendez said he was shocked when he saw the woman on fire.
“When I opened the door, she was engulfed in flames,” he said. “I proceeded to pull her out of the car. I ripped her clothes off, put her on the ground. Made her roll, just thinking it will take all the flames away from her.”
Firefighters also said they found some sort of accelerant inside the car, but they did not say what it was. “Accelerants were found in the vehicle, so that is part of the investigation,” said BSO spokesperson Joy Oglesby.
The driver was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital as a trauma-alert patient.
“She received third-degree burns on considerable amount on her body,” said BSO Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Michael Kane. “She was speaking to firefighters upon the arrival at the hospital.”
Mendez said he saw her mumbling and said she did not want to live. “Hopefully she’s OK,” Mendez said, “that she’ll get medical help and stuff. But that’s what I do. If I see someone in need of help, I do it. That’s my nature.”
He said he believes the accelerant was gasoline. BSO did not comment on that, as they continue their investigation.
A BSO employee who was hurt while evacuating was also hospitalized.
The driver’s name has not been released yet.
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