Darien Woman Honored For Rescuing Man

DARIEN, IL – Darien resident Stephanie Koklys learned CPR when she was in college, but she says it's been a long time.

Still, she put her skills to use in May when she saw a downed runner, Wojciech Wilczynski, while running on a trail at Waterfall Glen.

At Monday's Darien City Council meeting, Koklys was given the "Heart of Darien" award for her actions. She told the council that a 911 dispatcher walked her through administering CPR.

At the meeting, she and Wilczynski hugged. She said it was the first time she had seen him since the incident.

"I am extremely grateful," Koklys said. "But I couldn't be here without thanking the 911 dispatcher and the paramedics who truly are my heroes in this story."

During the incident, she said she met strangers who have become friends and who have attended her gigs as a musician.

"The world is just so unpredictable and strange," Koklys said. "I'm just so thankful. God brought these people into my life."

Earlier this summer, Mayor Joseph Marchese described the rescue in the city's online newsletter. From his understanding, he said, paramedics said Wilczynski may not have survived without Koklys' intervention.

"Stephanie would probably describe her action as something anyone would do under the same circumstances, while many of us look upon her actions as those of a hero," the mayor said.