Would-be hero rewarded with carjacking

A Good Samaritan witnessed a fiery crash on the Sagtikos Parkway Thursday, and the man whose life he sought to save thanked him by stealing his car. As the Corvette that crashed before his eyes burst

News 12 Staff

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Jul 26, 2007, 10:08 PM

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Updated 6,382 days ago

A Good Samaritan witnessed a fiery crash on the Sagtikos Parkway Thursday, and the man whose life he sought to save thanked him by stealing his car.

As the Corvette that crashed before his eyes burst into flames, all James Scarabino knew was that someone was in trouble.

"As I was pulling him out of the car, he pushed me over and ran across the highway," Scarabino said. "At first I thought he was just in shock."

The man then jumped in Scarabino's car and took off. Scarabino realized what was going on and held on to the moving car for about 50 feet before having a change of heart.

"As I was hanging onto the car and I was getting dragged I thought, 'What am I doing? This isn't worth it.' And I let go."

Police said the Corvette had earlier zoomed past an officer on the Long Island Expressway in Islandia traveling faster than 100 mph. After a several-mile chase, the officers called off the pursuit.

Scarabino said the experience won't change his selfless behavior next time around. "It's what you should do," he said.

Scarabino's car was discovered at a Dix Hills gas station hours later, but the carjacker hasn't been captured.