Deputy saves 2 women, then they're arrested

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A Washington Parish sheriff's deputy rescued two women who were trapped inside an overturned, burning vehicle Friday (July 14) in Bogalusa only to see them arrested a short time later on DWI and drug charges.

Deputy Ronnie Manning saved the two Bogalusa women from certain death, breaking the rear window of the vehicle and pulling them to safety, Sheriff Randy "Country'' Seal said.

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"Had it not been for his being in the right place at the right time and quickly responding to the dangerous situation, there most certainly would have been two fatalities," Seal said of Manning, a retired Bogalusa firefighter. "I commend Deputy Manning for his quick and decisive action. Thank you, Ronnie, for a job well done."

On Friday morning, Manning was driving along Quave Road when he spotted an overturned car on the edge of a wooded area. As he approached, the deputy saw that the front of the vehicle was engulfed in flames and heard screams coming from inside, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

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Manning retrieved a hammer from his patrol vehicle, broke out the rear window of the car and brought the two women to safety. Neither woman had injuries, the sheriff's office reported.

Other deputies responding to the scene booked the driver, Bridget Stogner, 34, with DWI and careless operation of a motor vehicle. The passenger, Brittany Rebecca Purvis, 30, was booked with possession of schedule IV drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the news release. Bond had not been set Friday afternoon.

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"Once he realized the two women were trapped in a burning vehicle with no means of escape, Deputy Manning did not hesitate," Seal said. "He quickly determined the rear window was the only avenue of escape from the spreading flames and broke out the window so the women could escape."

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