April 8, 2005 -- A born-again Christian in an SUV — whose license plate read "I M SAVED" — miraculously survived a fiery collision yesterday that killed a retired firefighter who was going the wrong way on the Belt Parkway.
Curtis Plunkett, 30, of Elmont, L.I., was in stable but critical condition at Brookdale Hospital after the 4 a.m. crash.
Retired FDNY Lt. Walter Knobloch, 59, of Massapequa, L.I., was killed after his 1999 Ford Crown Victoria crashed into Plunkett's 2003 Mercedes SUV.
Cops said Knobloch's car overturned and burst into flames.
They said the 34-year veteran was driving west on the parkway's eastbound lane near 81st Street when the crash took place.
Plunkett's mother, who declined to give her name, said her son was alive only because of his strong religious beliefs.
"We're all born-again Christians," she told The Post as she wept for her unconscious son in one of the hospital's waiting rooms.
"God is always on our side," she said. "We pray to him . . . and that's why he's keeping us."
The woman said she was stunned to hear that a former firefighter was driving the other car.
"I just can't imagine it," she said. "Right now, I'm here to see that my son's OK. Everything else, I will deal with later."
Plunkett's relatives said he was awaiting surgery and had been unconscious ever since the crash.
They said the car belonged to another relative.
Plunkett's mom said Curtis had ordered the plates himself in order to underline his belief in Jesus Christ as his savior.
"The Lord is helping him through this," she told The Post. "That's why he's alive."
FDNY officials said Knobloch, of Massapequa, had worked mostly in Queens.
He retired in 2002 — just shy of 34 years with the department.
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