Sparta woman saves man from burning car - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, WI (WXOW)—On Tuesday afternoon, a Sparta man was injured when he crossed the center line on Highway 16 and drove into a ditch.

His car flipped twice, catching fire when it landed; Whitney Brueggen saw the whole thing.

She pulled over, ran up to the car while it was on fire and pulled 22-year-old Kenneth Clark out of his car window.

Then, she carried him across the street a safe distance away from the fire.

When first responders got to the scene they told Brueggen she had likely saved Clark's life.

"Most people just freeze up, but I didn't even think about it.  I'm glad I did react fast instead of freezing up," Brueggen said.

Clark was treated for minor injuries at an area hospital.

Brueggen said she hopes to meet Clark one day to put the unpleasant memories to rest.