Crash victim meets her hero

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A crash victim met face to face with the officer who saved her life Monday.

The last time Wendy Echazabal was next to Sgt Thurman Mcneal, she was unconscious in her crushed BMW. The car was on fire and Sgt Mcneal, a 25 year veteran with Miami-Dade School Police, acted quickly and outed the flames with a fire extinguisher in his car. "I'm praying for you [Echezabal] and the other lady in the car too," Mcneal said.

When Echezabal was told the story of the officer who acted quickly to save her from a burning car, she wanted to meet him to say thank you. "I can't find the words to express how grateful I am with you and the doctors here for saving my life. Thank you. Thank you for being brave enough," Echezabal said.

This all began last Tuesday when a thief smashed Wendy's window and stole her purse. Wendy got into her car and started chasing the crook, while flagging down Sgt. Mcneal along the way. Echazabal smashed her car into another innocent victim who also had to be transported to the hospital. The thief escaped, but Echazabal said she wouldn't change anything.

Echezabal is recovering in the Intensive Care Unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital, and she wanted to save one of her first steps for Sgt. Mcneal to see. "I will always remember you for the rest of my life," Echezabal said to Mcneal.

Sgt. Mcneal said the accident reminded him that miracles do happen.

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