Man on fire runs through Richmond Road traffic

A man who was engulfed in flames ran through traffic in a Richmond Road intersection Wednesday night.

The man had been in an argument with his significant other when he doused himself in gasoline and lit himself on fire, causing life-threatening injuries, Lexington police Lt. Matthew Greathouse said.

Micoya Jackson was in one of the many cars moving through the intersection of Richmond Road and St. Ann Drive at about 6:15 p.m. She said she saw the man tip a gas can above his head before he caught on fire.

Janice Ross said she and her daughter were pulling in to Durango’s Mexican Restaurant when they saw a “ball of orange, just a ball of fire” run diagonally across the intersection of Richmond Road and St. Ann Drive.

“My daughter just said, ‘Mom, mom, look, that guy is on fire!’” Ross said. “He was completely engulfed.”

People who were driving by stopped and put out the flames, Ross said.

One of those who stopped was off-duty Lexington Fire Major Joe Madden, according to the fire department. Madden sustained minor burns to his face and hands as he and the others put out the fire.

“They looked like they were using jackets, blankets, just whatever they had,” Ross said.

Jackson said the man stood on his own to get on a stretcher, but severe burns were visible on the man’s back and shoulders.

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 8:18 PM with the headline "Man on fire runs through Richmond Road traffic."