FCA Design Chief Gilles Aids Crash Victims

Ralph Gilles, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s global design chief, used his Jeep Wrangler to push a burning vehicle away from another vehicle to help free the occupants following an accident earlier this month.

Driving home after a late-night event, Gilles and his wife Doris—who called 9-1-1—came upon an accident on a rural road in Addison Township, Mich. The driver of a 2013 Ford Edge crossover vehicle had crossed the center line and struck a 2013 Ford Fiesta head-on.

The driver of the Edge, who admitted to drinking that evening, had already exited his vehicle. He and Gilles tried to help the couple in the Fiesta but were unable to open any of the doors.

Soon thereafter, the driver of another vehicle crashed into the compact Fiesta, which caromed back into the Edge. This caused an engine fire in the Edge.

Fearing that the Fiesta would soon catch fire too, Gilles put the Wrangler into four-wheel drive and pushed the burning Edge clear of the other vehicles. Members of the local fire department arrived a few minutes later and were able extract the couple, one of whom died a few hours later after being transported to a hospital.

The driver of the Edge is expected to face criminal charges.

Addison Fire Chief Jerry Morawski called Gilles heroic and credited him with saving the life of the Edge’s other occupant. In an email sent to Jalopnik, Gilles said, We should all think twice about driving impaired in any way.” He also stressed the importance of people stopping to help others involved in an accident.