CENTRAL - Days after a crash that caused the most complicated rescue effort in decades, police are calling out to the driver who caused the crash, encouraging them to turn themselves in. 

The Central Police Department responded to a crash on April 19 that left an 18-wheeler overturned with the driver trapped inside.

It took hours for first responders to get the driver out of his vehicle, and police say they were shocked and thankful that no one was killed. The incident caused the tanker to flip, trapping the driver in the cab and sending him to the hospital.

"I didn't figure anyone would be alive in the vehicle because it was that bad of a wreck," Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran said.

Chief Corcoran says they learned another vehicle crossed the center line into oncoming traffic. It forced the truck driver, Brandon Ray, to swerve into the ditch, where he was trapped for more than two hours.

"After I got there, they told me the victim he was talking,” Chief Corcoran said. “He was talking to the first responders, that were there. Other people with the fire department tell him he's okay and 'please get me out,' and he said a whole lot of thank yous."

Chief Corcoran says firefighters used every tool on their truck to get Ray out.

"They even had myself out there with chainsaws cutting up 4x4s so they can use it to brace the vehicle up to try to keep the vehicle sturdy or stable," Chief Corcoran.

To make matters worse, power lines fell on top of the truck, making the rescue far more dangerous. This left communities in the area without power

Once Ray was freed, he made sure to thank everyone for saving his life.

"As the first responders, the fireman pulled him out of the wreckage had him on the stretcher on the backboard once he was clear of the vehicle, he stuck his hand up and gave a thumbs up,” Chief Corcoran said. "He came out and, like everyone, clapped and said, wow."

As for the other driver involved, Chief Corcoran says an arrest will be made.

"And we do have information on what type of vehicle it was that ran him off the road,” Chief Corcoran said. We have video footage of that vehicle, but we're working on that as we speak.”

And he also has this message for Ray.

"The victim where the men and women here at the police department are so glad that you're okay and you're alive speedy recovery to you," Chief Corcoran said.

Police said the vehicle that caused the crash was likely a 2014-2018 white GMC 4 DR truck. 

"To whomever owns this vehicle and/or was driving this vehicle Friday evening, both Central and the surrounding areas have license plate readers. There may be thousands of images to review, but the likelihood we will identify you is high. You may want to consider turning yourself in."

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– Josh 

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