Rescued I-287 Trucker's Daughter Calls Troopers 'Guardian Angels'

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A family in Ohio is forever grateful to two New Jersey State Troopers who pulled Ron Hickman out of a burning tractor-trailer just seconds before it exploded on Monday on Interstate 287 in Bridgewater.

"God put them where they needed to be," said Tabatha Finnegan, daughter of Hickman of the two troopers.

Hickman, 63, of Cambridge, Ohio has been driving tractor trailers across the country for as long as Finnegan can remember. For the past 13 years he was employed by NFI and is definitely familiar with I-287 as he had driven the highway every week for three days a week.

On Monday, Hickman felt lightheaded and dizzy, Finnegan said.

"He put on his blinker to pull over in the shoulder and then only remembers waking up on the side of the highway with the troopers," Finnegan said.

Hickman had blacked out and instead of pulling over, hit the guardrail and bridge abutment on I-287 north in Bridgewater before his tractor trailer became engulfed in flames.

• (See Related: NJ Troopers Pull Man From Burning Truck Seconds Before Explosion)

Luckily for Hickman two New Jersey State Troopers Robert Tarleton and Lt. Edward Ryer were right there when it happened.

Within seconds of the crash the troopers pulled Hickman from the burning cab, dragging him across the highway to safety, seconds before it exploded, a trooper body cam video shows (see the video below).

"When I asked my dad how he got out of the truck he said he was able to help the police get himself out," Finnegan said. "Clearly from the police video you can see that didn't happen."

Hickman had minor injuries but no burns. He was taken to an area hospital and is now back in Ohio resting with his family. Doctors say Hickman experience a medical episode and are looking into the cause.

"If it wasn't for those troopers my dad wouldn't be here right now," Finnegan said. "We are so blessed."

Hickman is married with two daughters and has five grandchildren.

"Because of those two troopers my mom has a husband, my sister and I have a father and our kids have a grandfather," Finnegan said. "They were definitely his guardian angels. My family can not thank them enough."

Watch the dramatic rescue:

A video of the crash by Kika Reyes:

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