'Somebody needs my help': Heroic efforts at the scene of a two-car crash to be honored

Ledyard - Driving home from work last month, U.S. Navy Chief Culinary Specialist Daniel Spencer said he "just acted on my instincts and did what needed to be done at the time" when he witnessed a two-car crash on Route 12 and rescued both drivers.

The engine of one of the cars caught fire after Spencer pulled the driver from the wreckage.

His life-saving deeds will be honored Friday morning, pierside of his current submarine assignment, the USS Springfield, on the submarine base in Groton. The Norwich sailor will receive a proclamation from Ledyard Mayor John Rodolico during the 11 a.m. ceremony, and members of the Gales Ferry Fire Department are expected to attend.

Spencer, 32, said in an email Saturday that he was headed north on Route 12 near the submarine base, speaking to his wife on a hands-free device, when he saw a Ford Taurus two cars ahead of him swerve into the southbound lane.

"I told my wife hastily, 'I have to go. I'm fine, but somebody needs my help,'" Spencer said.

Spencer went to the first vehicle, a blue Chrysler Sebring, and helped the driver, Susan Penrose, to the side of the road.

Spencer said he ran to the Taurus and found its driver, Rick Carlson, unconscious.

"I saw the smoke and didn't think too much of it as I attempted to gain access by breaking the glass with my elbow," Spencer said. Carlson eventually woke up and unlocked the door, Spencer said, "and I helped him out of the car and away from the scene. I then checked both vehicles for additional passengers to ensure the scene was safe before I just waited for the police and fire."

Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone said last week that Penrose suffered multiple broken bones and has undergone surgeries. Carlson was uninjured.

"If this guy hadn't taken those actions, the situation would have been much more dire for those people," Saccone said.

Members of the Gales Ferry and Naval Submarine Base fire departments, state police and Ledyard police responded to the accident.

"Our guys made a quick knockdown," Ted Day, Gales Ferry deputy chief, said of the engine fire.

After the crash, Route 12 was closed between Ohio Avenue and Long Cove Road for almost two hours as police and firefighters investigated and cleared the wreckage.

Rodolico, who will present the proclamation at Friday's ceremony, said Spencer's background helped save the day.

"It does take (emergency personnel) a few minutes to get to the scene of any actions, so you're really depending on local heroes to take care of these things," Rodolico said. "The lady was hurt significantly, the gentleman was unconscious, so (Spencer's) actions were absolutely critical."

Spencer, originally of Saegertown, Pa., said he joined the Navy in 1998 and has served on four submarines, including his current assignment aboard the Springfield.

"Myself and all qualified submariners are trained to take charge and take action in any sort of situation," Spencer said in his email. "Onboard submarines, the Culinary Specialists are normally the primary Emergency Medical Assistance Team to assist our one Independent Duty Corpsman in the event of a medical emergency."

Spencer was humble about the upcoming recognition ceremony.

"Really, I am just glad that no one was seriously injured that day and that I was able to help," he said.

s.goldstein@theday.com