Benjamin S. Henrich attempted to save Lisa N. Villigan from an impending explosion, Prescott, Wisconsin, February 17, 2007. Villigan, 39, remained in the driver’s seat of her pickup truck after it left the roadway at night and crashed into a one-story house, severing the house’s natural gas line. Henrich, 28, police officer, responded to the scene after the accident was reported. He approached the passenger side of the vehicle, the front of which was about six feet into the structure, and attempted to alert Villigan to the gas, the odor of which was strong. She did not reply. Seeing that a window on the driver’s side was broken, Henrich went there and again attempted to alert Villigan. Within moments, an explosion of natural gas occurred, setting fire to the house and truck and throwing Henrich at least 15 feet from the structure. Flames grew to engulf the house and truck, destroying both. Villigan died in the fire. Henrich was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor burns to his face and cuts and bruises to his hands and face.
80113 – 9148
80113-9148