Bragg soldier, rescued from burning car, in good condition

Raleigh, N.C. — A Fort Bragg soldier who was rescued from a burning car on July 1 was in good condition Friday, according to WakeMed officials.

John Michael Dean, 19, a Palmerville, Mass., native stationed at Fort Bragg, was previously listed in serious condition after undergoing surgery after crashing a car.

Police say he had been drinking before he sped around a curve at 90 mph at 1250 New Bern Ave. and crashed a 2004 Volkswagen passenger car, which caught on fire.

Witnesses say the car hit the median and the curb, then flew through the air and landed on a stone sign. Dean was ejected from the car but landed near the fire.

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Bragg soldier rescued from burning car

Two men, Mike Dickens and Paul Godette, said they saw the wreck. Authorities credit them with pulling Dean away from the flames and saving his life.

"When it happened, we took off running and seen the car on fire (and) saved him. And we just hope he's all right," Godette said.

Police said Dean would be charged with driving while impaired, provisional DWI, careless and reckless driving and a seat belt violation. The wreck report says he wasn't wearing a seat belt and results from a blood alcohol test were pending.