Our snow plow drivers are used to long days on the road, especially this winter. As you can imagine, they see a lot while driving hundreds of miles each day.
Robert’s defensive driving and quick actions helped save a local resident after a car accident.
Earlier this month, Robert, one of our drivers, had an extraordinary day while driving his ordinary route.
Robert had been driving his route since 4 a.m. and he had cleared the roads of snow, they were safe. Towards the end of the day, he was making another pass on Washtenaw Ave to check road conditions when he saw something no driver ever wants to see.
Two cars were heading toward him at a high rate of speed; they were in his lane and were almost touching each other. Robert slammed on the brakes and blew his air horn. Miraculously, Robert was able to stop his truck just in time and the two cars missed his bumper by inches.
One car flew by him, hit the curb, then an embankment and rolled over one and a half times. It finally skidded to rest – flipped sideways on the driver’s side.
The other car skidded further down the road onto a snowbank and ended up stranded on top of a cement bollard.
Robert immediately flew into action, as a former firefighter and paramedic, he knew what to do. He called 911 from his truck and then checked the scene. His truck was closest to the flipped vehicle. There were vehicle fluids everywhere, traffic was backing up and trying to get around him. The scene was not safe and changing rapidly.
Robert grabbed his fire extinguisher and exited his truck. Just as he did, the underbelly of the flipped car caught fire. Robert extinguished the fire in a few seconds and then heard sirens, more help was coming.
The flipped car that was closest to Robert’s snow plow truck.
Robert went around to the passenger side of the car to check on the driver. The driver wasn’t moving but he was alert. Robert used his fire extinguisher to break open the window and he asked the driver if he was ok. He wanted to make sure the driver had a way out if another part of the car caught fire. The driver was hurt but responsive, Robert stayed with him until the Ypsilanti Police and Fire Departments arrived.
When asked about these heroic actions, Robert shrugs it off, saying that any of his co-workers at the road commission would have done the same to help. Luckily for the victim, Robert had the experience and knowledge to respond quickly and effectively. Robert advises all motorists to pay attention to their surroundings and leave plenty of space around them.
We want to thank Robert and all of our employees who go above and beyond, whether it’s working overtime to get the roads cleared on a holiday or jumping in to help a stranger after a horrific car accident.
