Christopher S. Stimpson helped to rescue David A. Wallace from burning, San Jon, New Mexico, July 31, 2011. Wallace, 52, lay unconscious on the floor of the cab of the tractor-trailer that, driven by his partner, had struck the rear of another tractor-trailer on a ramp of an interstate highway. Flames broke out on the passenger side of the tractor and spread into the cab and its sleeper berth. A police officer who responded rescued the partner through the window of the driver’s door but was unsuccessful in his attempts at reaching Wallace. Nearby, Stimpson, 50, state police officer, was alerted to the accident, and he immediately responded. Climbing onto the wreckage of the fuel-tank housing, he entered the cab head first through the same window, grasped Wallace, and, as the other officer held to his legs, worked to free him as flames grew in the cab and sleeper. Stimpson maneuvered from the cab, pulling Wallace, whose clothing was burning. The other officer took Wallace to the pavement shortly before flames engulfed the cab and spread to the trailers of both vehicles, destroying them. Wallace was hospitalized for treatment of significant injuries, including burns to his arms and legs.
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