Army Sergeant Risks Life To Help Save Trapped N.J. Truck Driver

NEWARK, NJ — Here’s what U.S. Army First Sergeant Michael Huson had to say after helping to rescue a trapped tractor trailer driver from an awful wreck on I-78 last month in Newark… “It was the right thing to do.”

According to the U.S. Army Mid-Atlantic Recruiting office, when he left for work on Oct. 11, Huson expected a normal day at one of the seven Army Recruitment Centers that he manages.

As he was exiting the highway near exit 57, Huson passed a tractor trailer completely on its side along the side of the road. At first glance it appeared to have been placed there out of the way of traffic to be recovered at a later time. But as Huson drove past, he noticed the wheels were still moving and smoke was coming from the vehicle.

That’s when Huson immediately exited his vehicle and rushed over to the overturned tractor trailer, instructing a bystander to call 9-1-1, Army administrators said.

After approaching the overturned tractor trailer, Huson noticed movement in the cab and a body on the driver side door… now the floor of the cab. Huson then went to the back of the cab to climb up to open the top door and get inside.

As he was about to climb up, he noticed fuel pouring out of the passenger fuel tank to the ground near the exhaust stack. Despite the danger of a fire, Huson mustered his courage and continued to climb.

When he was in position, Huson lifted the passenger side door up and found an injured female looking up at him and an injured driver beneath her with his legs pinned by crash wreckage.

Another bystander then arrived at the vehicle and climbed up to help, holding the door as Huson entered the cab. Huson then managed to help the female passenger climb out but realized that neither the driver nor his passenger spoke English. Luckily, the bystander holding the door was able to act as a translator, providing guidance and comfort to the trapped men, Army administrators said.

Noting that the injured driver couldn’t be moved and had head trauma, Huson administered first aid and assessed his condition. After a little work, Huson was then able to free the driver’s legs and made him as comfortable as possible, helping to keep him alert and awake with the help of the bilingual bystander.

Police, fire and EMS crews arrived on the scene about 25 minutes later and decided to cut out the window, requiring Huson to cover the driver and himself with a blanket to protect them from debris and glass, Army administrators said.

Once the window was removed, emergency personnel evacuated the driver from the overturned vehicle.

When asked why he decided to stop and aid these individuals, Huson replied that “it was the right thing to do.”

“We fight the good fight daily with civilians and our reputation in communities,” Huson said. “I hope my actions are a display of our character, as any soldier in my company would have done the same.”

Photos: U.S. Army

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