Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
The Cities Blog
Paul Tosto

Wow: Guy rips open door, pulls driver from burning car

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
burning1

From the never-ceases-to-amaze file: A regular guy rips open the door of a burning car with his bare hands and saves the driver.

The State Patrol today reported this astonishing tale: A Woodbury man driving on Interstate 35W in New Brighton notices a nearby car on fire. He flags down the driver, they both pull over; suddenly the car fills with smoke and the driver's trapped.

Instead of running away, Robert Renning, "with his bare hands bent the locked door in half from the top down. The glass shattered and Renning reached in and pulled (the driver) to safety," the State Patrol said.

Calling it incredible doesn't do it justice. Here's the State Patrol's report:

A Woodbury man saved a motorist’s life yesterday when he pried open a car door and pulled the man from a burning vehicle just before 6:40 p.m. on I-35W and County Road D in New Brighton.

Robert Renning was headed southbound when he noticed a nearby vehicle on fire. He flagged down the motorist — Michael Johannes of Minneapolis — and both vehicles pulled over.

Johannes’ vehicle immediately became engulfed in smoke and the electronic locks and windows failed. The frantic driver unsuccessfully tried to kick out the windows. Renning ran to the car and — with his bare hands — bent the locked door in half from the top down. The glass shattered and Renning reached in and pulled Johannes to safety.

Renning was unharmed and Johannes suffered minor smoke inhalation and sustained light cuts from being pulled through the shattered window.

Trooper Zachary Hill responded to the scene and took pictures of the car fire’s aftermath.

“He did an extraordinary deed, bending a locked car door in half of a burning car to extricate a trapped person,” Hill said. “I feel this man deserves any and all commendation for his extraordinary life-saving measure that kept another from burning alive.”

burning2