Wilton Simpson commends three officers for courageous response during fiery crash
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson commended the courageous response of three officers from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agriculture Law Enforcement Friday in the aftermath of a fiery car accident.
“If not for the quick actions of our agricultural law enforcement officers and assistance from a good Samaritan, this individual may not have survived this incident,” Simpson said.
“I commend Sergeant Czaban, Sergeant Snipes, and Corporal Scaggs for their unwavering commitment to protecting and serving our communities,” he continued.
Upon encountering a two-vehicle collision on March 22 in White Springs, Florida, Sergeant Nicholas Czaban sprang into action, according to a press release.
Czaban promptly alerted dispatch and reportedly rushed toward the scene to offer assistance. As he approached, he found both vehicles, one of which was towing a camper and was engulfed in flames.
Despite his efforts to douse the fire, the ruptured fuel tanks kept reigniting, depleting his extinguisher’s effectiveness. In the middle of the chaos, he heard cries for help from one of the trapped drivers and began the extraction process.
He faced challenges because the car was so badly damaged and compromised that he had to remove the driver’s side door and cut through the seatbelt to free the pinned driver.
Czaban and a bystander managed to get the driver out of the car, but he was suffering from the severe injuries, including a nearly severed arm. Czaban swiftly administered first aid.
Additional support came from Sergeant Trystan Snipes and Corporal Timothy M. Scaggs. Once on scene they helped keep everyone safe and provided further medical aid until emergency medical services arrived.
The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement is dedicated to conducting criminal investigations within the jurisdiction of the department, ensuring consumer protection against deceptive trade practices, safeguarding Florida’s agriculture industry from theft and related crimes, and upholding the integrity of consumer products, including food.
As part of its mission, the office operates over 20 agricultural interdiction stations across the state. These stations are manned by officers who conduct rigorous vehicle inspections 24/7 to safeguard the state’s food supply and mitigate the risks associated with the introduction and spread of agricultural pests and diseases.
