Sioux Falls, South Dakota – The South Dakota Highway Patrol is honoring two men for their actions in April, when they saved a driver from a fiery crash near Baltic.
While one of the men declined to be recognized, Derek Murphy from White received a Life Saving Award from the Highway Patrol on Thursday.
On April 13, a vehicle driven by Jackson Murphy collided with a guardrail and came to a stop near the median of Interstate 29 at mile marker 93, a mile south of the Baltic exit. Jackson lost consciousness, and the car caught fire.
“It’s as if I’m driving, then I blink and I’m in the back of an ambulance.” I don’t think I’ve ever been so confused. “I had no idea what was going on,” Jackson admitted.
Derek and the other man witnessed the accident and rushed to Jackson’s vehicle to see if he was able to get out. When they discovered he couldn’t, Derek entered the vehicle from the passenger side and unbuckled the seat belt. The car caught fire as they were pulling Jackson out of it.
“There’s no doubt that this story turned out well because of their quick action. “A different story would have been told if they hadn’t done what they did,” said South Dakota Highway Patrol Major Robert Whisler.
Jackson was able to recover and participate in Thursday’s ceremony. Derek stated that he had not considered the dangers of running to and entering a burning car. All he knew was that somebody’s life was in danger.
“I mean, it happened really quickly. But no one was getting out of that car. Derek said, “I just ran up there, opened the door, and he was unconscious.”
Jackson believes that the fact that two others helped save him shows that there are plenty of good people out there who are willing to help in times of need.
“I am sure a lot of people would have simply said, ‘Oh no. Oh well,’ and continued driving. I even considered what would happen if Derek realized he had forgotten his wallet as he drove away from home that morning. Then he turned around and was two minutes later at the scene,” Jackson explained.
Jackson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet one of the men who saved him and personally thank him for his actions that day.
“I had not seen his face before. I had no idea who he was before today. To see him and think that man is the reason I am standing here today. That’s a very strange feeling. “It’s a very heartwarming feeling,” Jackson added.
Derek wore the same jeans to Thursday’s ceremony as he did in April. The bottoms of each pant leg remain singed from the flames that day. He claimed that he made the decision to act quickly and without thinking about it.
“I’ve never really thought. I just did what anyone else would do. I’m just glad he’s fine. It’s all sort of coming back to me today. “I’m a little nervous because it’s real,” Derek admitted.
