ORLANDO, Fla. — A near-fatal crash nearly took the life of a Seminole County deputy on Saturday morning.

Now, we're hearing from the firefighter who pulled him from the wreckage, saving his life.

Orlando Fire Department's Lieutenant Benjamin Wootson said, "I noticed a patrol car coming towards us. And I have a habit of always looking at my mirrors."

Off duty and running late to his kid’s soccer practice, Wootson went into action. "I pulled a U-turn at the next intersection and rushed back. By the time I got on scene, there was a little bit of flames underneath the vehicle. The for me was already on fire."

The danger intensified as the flames spread. Wootson said the message for Seminole County Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Luxon then and now is "it was not his time. He still has good to do on earth."

Wootson credits the right people in the right place at the right time. "If anybody else was not trained, we wouldn't be in the circumstance that we are right now," he said. "Within 15 seconds of pulling him out, the vehicle was fully involved."

A team effort in what could have been a dark day on central Florida’s roads showed that when one person goes above and beyond, good people will follow.

Wootson said, "Seeing me going into action would give them hope and to want to assist and not just stand back and watch and pull the phones out. They would actually be hands-on and do what needs to be done to make it make a life change."

Lt. Wootsen says anyone and everyone on the road should have tools like a seatbelt cutter or glass breaker in case of emergency – as well as the will to jump into action, whether they are wearing a uniform or not.