FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 19, 2014) -- Three Soldiers from the 5th Ranger Training Battalion played a pivotal role in saving a civilian's life Nov. 5.
Sgt. Tamyus Barnett, Spc. Leudy Castro and Spc. Darian Haygood were returning to Camp Frank Merrill near Dahlonega, Georgia, after a maintenance run to Fort Benning when they came across an automobile accident on Interstate 185 in Harris County.
A small Kia car traveling in the southbound lane had crossed over the median and collided with an 18-wheeler, which was carrying fuel, in the northbound lane.
The three Soldiers arrived on the scene immediately after the accident, and noticed the Kia had caught fire.
"When we arrived, the vehicle was starting to catch fire, so we hopped out and ran to the car to see if anyone was in it," Haygood said. "There was somebody inside, and he was barely conscious. We pulled him out and once we got him out, we ran to the other side of the highway and tried to stop traffic until police arrived."
The Soldiers moved the driver into the median, and noticed the 18-wheeler could potentially explode due to the fuel it was carrying. They then moved their vehicle into the median to shield the driver from the effects of any explosion.
The 18-wheeler did eventually explode three times, causing some trees and grass in the area to catch fire.
The Soldiers administered first aid to the driver until first responders arrived on scene, and then remained at the scene of the accident to help control spectators and redirect traffic until the driver was extracted and all fires were put out.
"After all the first responders got there, they were pretty thankful for the fact that we were there and assisting," Castro said. "After they arrived, we just went where we were needed. After we took care of the traffic situation and ensured that the driver of the vehicle that was struck was in a safe area and receiving first aid, we just did whatever else we could to help."
Castro said the Soldiers' Army training proved invaluable during the incident.
"It was basically instinct," he said. "We didn't really plan anything that we did. We just pulled over and ran out to do anything that we could do to assist. To be honest, we weren't really prepared for this. But, we were able to improvise with whatever the bystanders were able to provide us. With everything going on, we were still able to focus on the most important situation, which was stabilizing the driver."
Later that night, after returning to Camp Frank Merrill, the Soldiers received a special thanks.
"That night, the driver's wife called Sgt. Barnett and thanked us for helping out," Haygood said. "He went through surgery, and he was able to pull through."
Castro said he, Haygood and Barnett have received praise from their fellow Soldiers for their actions.
"They joke about it in a sense and call us heroes, but I would think it is something that any of them would do if they were in the same situation," Castro said.
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