Akron man's Hot Pockets detour saves him from plane crash

Had it not been for errands and a Hot Pockets craving, Bartley may have been among the deceased, too.

Bartley was booking a trip to Miami after Christmas in his apartment precisely 39 minutes before the accident. Realizing it would make more sense to take care of some errands (such as running to the bank) first, Bartley set out at 2:14 p.m.

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On the way home nearly 30 minutes later, Bartley decided to make an extra stop at a dollar store to pick up Hot Pockets for his next two meals, that night's dinner and the following day's breakfast.

Finally done with errands, he set toward home. He saw a building engulfed in smoke and flames but didn't know it was his until he got closer. He panicked thinking he had done something wrong but was informed by a bystander about the crash.

Most of Bartley's prized possessions are all gone (no insurance), but he is "very grateful" and emotional to be alive still, he said. Sometimes the thought of it makes him nauseous.

"It's still even hard to comprehend," he said, adding the apartment complex was one of the best ones he had ever lived in.

Bartley is at a friend's apartment for the time being after spending the night of the crash at his mother's place, the report said.

He feels a box of ammunition in his apartment contributed to the explosions he heard witnesses discussing.

He expressed his sympathy for the victims and their families as well and knows he's lucky to be alive.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Bartley regain his traction.