Watch: Good Samaritans Spring Into Action After Car Accident Sends SUV Up in Flames...and a 17-Year-Old Is Alive Because of It

Where there were no emergency responders, there were others who pitched in to help.

Several bystanders swarmed to the rescue of 17-year-old Erik DePillars who became trapped inside his car after crashing it along Chicago's Lake Shore Drive Saturday, WLS-TV reported.

Image source: WLS-TV

As the black SUV went up in flames, a number of onlookers simply drove past the accident. News crews arriving shortly after it happened began capturing footage of the engulfed vehicle. But as no fire trucks or ambulances can be seen in these harrowing moments, one good samaritan decided to help save a life.

As one stopped to help, so did another. And then another. Before long, a crew of caring motorists had surrounded the 17-year-old in his car to help get him out.

“He was unresponsive when we pulled him out the car. The fire and the smoke had gotten to him. It got to us, pulling him out,” John Poulos, an off-duty police officer, told WBBM.

Keith Bonner Sr. said he watched as the vehicle spun out of control and didn't think twice about stopping to help. Just as the motorists were able to pull DePillars to safety, Bonner said the SUV “engulfed in flames just as the fire department was arriving.”

"We all came together and somehow we got that individual out of that car," Norris Teague told WLS-TV.

Despite many not stopping to help, Poulos said the few who did lend a hand just goes to show one thing.

“They say people don’t care, but they do care," Poulos said. "A lot of people stopped and a lot of people helped and it’s what Chicago is all about.”

The teenager was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated for non life-threatening injuries. Police are still investigating what caused the crash.

WNEM TV 5

(H/T: WLS-TV)

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