Trucking News · Massachusetts · October 31, 2026

Off-Duty Massachusetts Deputy Fire Chief Pulls Injured Tanker Truck Driver From an Overturned Truck on Route 1 in Danvers

By Big Rig Daily Staff

A Massachusetts firefighter who happened to be driving behind an overturned tanker truck on Monday evening is being praised for helping get the injured truck driver to safety. Lynnfield Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Mutti was off duty and had no firefighting or protective gear when he stopped on Route 1 in Danvers on Oct. 26, ATruckDrivers reported on Oct. 30.

What the fire department said

According to the Lynnfield Fire Department, Mutti was driving southbound on Route 1 behind an oil tanker when he saw it overturn onto its passenger side. The truck driver was injured and trapped, and the tanker's contents spilled across the road.

Mutti ran to the truck and found the truck driver had fallen to the passenger side and was not moving. "My first thought was, 'I hope it's not full of fuel,'" Mutti said. "My second thought was I hope he's okay."

The rescue

He climbed the side of the truck, kicked in the windshield and pulled the truck driver out through the opening with help from a police officer who arrived on scene, according to the report. A civilian who saw the crash stopped and gave Mutti gloves to protect his hands. Once the truck driver was in the care of emergency medical services in a safe location, Mutti continued home.

The truck driver was hospitalized with multiple injuries. Crews stayed at the scene for hours cleaning up thousands of gallons of oil that spilled from the top of the tanker.

In his own words

Mutti has been with the department for almost 30 years and credits that experience with giving him the training to act right away. "I didn't really think about it. The guy was trapped, and I wanted to get him out. I was just assessing what was going on constantly just for his safety and everybody else that was there."

He downplayed the praise. "It was just part of the job. I'm just happy I could help. I was just in the right place at the right time. I would hope anybody in that situation would help the driver."

The fire department commended his courage and commitment to the values and traditions of the service, saying he displayed "exceptional bravery and determination."

What is not known

The report did not say what caused the tanker to overturn, and officials have not announced a cause in the sources reviewed by Big Rig Daily. The name and condition of the truck driver beyond "multiple injuries" were not released, and Big Rig Daily is not naming the truck driver.

Quick facts

• Where: Route 1 southbound, Danvers, Massachusetts.
• When: Monday evening, Oct. 26, 2026.
• Who helped: Lynnfield Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Mutti, off duty, with help from a police officer and a civilian.
• Injuries: the truck driver was hospitalized with multiple injuries.
• Cause: not stated.

Big Rig Daily has also covered how a motorist's tip led to an Iowa semi being stopped for overheated brake drums, another story of someone speaking up on the road.

A question for readers

Have you ever seen a stranger step up to help on the highway, and what did it mean to you?

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