Created: 4/14/2009 11:09:45 AM 
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC -- Quick thinking saved a driver's life after a big-rig collision turned into a fire on Interstate 77.
"This tractor trailer had just come off the interstate, it crashed," said Senior Deputy Odell Glenn. He was on the scene moments after the big rig crashed through a guard rail on I-77 and slammed nose-down onto Wilson Boulevard. Master Deputy Melinda Martin was also there.
"Sure enough, there was the driver, entrapped in the metal," said Glenn.
Passerby Hector Pineda came upon the accident at the same time. "He got a second chance on life today," he said. "We could smell the diesel."
Glenn said, "We know how diesel reacts, once it starts to burn, it spreads very quickly."
Pineda looked into the man's eyes. He said the driver told him, "Don't leave me here."
Pineda said, "I told him, we aren't leaving here without you. As soon as we put hands on this gentleman the flames showed up."
"In a situation like this you only have time to act," said Glenn, who has been a Richland County Deputy for 15 years.
The three lifted the driver with all of their might. The driver had been wedged into bent metal of the truck between the guard rail and the truck remains.
"Giving God all the glory that we weren't the only ones pulling on him, that he definitely has a calling on his life," said Pineda.
"We wanted to make sure that he made it home to his family also," said Glenn.
All three who pulled the driver to safety have children, and were relieved to make it out safely, as they had acted not a moment too soon.
"I believe that God kept the big blast at bay long enough for us to get this gentleman away," said Pineda.
Deputy Glenn said he was thrilled to see a passer-by stop to help.
"Richland County citizens are some of the best citizens in the world. It takes not a brave person but a caring person to actually risk your own safety for a stranger. None of us knew this guy but we were all willing to risk our own safety to make sure that he would see his family tonight," Glenn said.
Pineda said he was praying the entire time he was pulling the driver from the vehicle. "I just praise God that this man had a second chance at life today and that God gave everybody boldness to jump in there. And this just unselfish act of kindness to pull this gentleman out, it was really great."
Richland County EMS spokesperson George Rice said the driver was transported to the hospital in fair condition.
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