A trucker’s quick thinking, willingness to help, and bravery has earned him the title of Highway Angel, and recognition from his community for his heroic actions.
Joseph Wilbur was headed northbound on I-95 just outside of New Haven, Connecticut at around 3 am when he saw the taillights of a car in the southbound lanes. He immediately called 911 and alerted police of the wrong-way driver.
While still on the phone with Connecticut State Police, Wilbur kept driving parallel to the other vehicle. He called out exits and mile markers along the way to update them on where the vehicle was, but before authorities could arrive, the car hit another vehicle head-on, spun off the side of the road, rolled multiple times, and came to rest upside-down.
Wilbur pulled his truck onto the shoulder, hopped the barrier, and ran toward the car. With the help of an EMT who happened to be passing by, Wilbur got the driver’s door open and found a man unconscious, upside-down, and tangled in his seatbelt.
After putting on gloves the EMT had handed him, Wilbur climbed inside the car. He lifted the man up to relieve pressure while the EMT cut the seatbelt. Before they could get the man out of the car, he woke up and started thrashing around. Wilbur was able to restrain the man while the EMT got a neck collar from the ambulance. Wilbur then stayed at the scene to help the EMT until other emergency personnel arrived.
Well done, driver!
William Finney says
Wow good job driver