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(KMOV)- Alorton's deputy police chief recently ran to the rescue of an injured driver.

Alorton Deputy Police Chief Steve Romanik responded to a call of a driver in trouble after crashing in a flooded area in the 5500 block Old Missouri Avenue Friday night.

A trail of tire tracks led him to flooded front yards where 36-year-old Steven Fisher of Cahokia was unconscious.

His red Plymouth Neon crossed the road and crashed in the muddy water.

Fisher was thrown from his car and landed face down in the water.

Deputy Romanik's number one concern was saving his life.

The deputy police chief performed several stomach compressions on Fisher, but still no response.

Finally, after the fifth one, the unresponsive driver, coughed up water and began breathing on his own thanks to a quick-thinking Romanik, who didn't hesitate to help.

Steven Fisher remains in critical condition.

His family says he is improving.

Late Tuesday afternoon they issued a statement thanking Deputy Chief Romanik for saving their loved one's life.