Mark M. Ste. Marie helped to save Dennis M. Klecak from burning, Giddings, Texas, June 1, 1995. At night, the automobile Klecak was driving left the highway, struck a tree, and overturned. Klecak remained inside the inverted car, caught in the wreckage, as fire broke out on its exposed underside. Traveling on the same highway, Ste. Marie, 38, wire line operator, and another man stopped at the scene. After Klecak yelled for help, Ste. Marie crawled head first through the open passenger window but in the darkness could see nothing. He groped for Klecak, finding him beneath the steering wheel in light provided by growing flames. Ste. Marie grasped Klecak by his wrists and pulled him to the passenger side of the car, but Klecak remained caught in the wreckage. Ste. Marie and the other man then pulled on Klecak by the arms and on their third attempt freed him, then dragged him out of the car. Within moments the car was engulfed by flame. Klecak required hospital treatment for injuries received during the accident, and he recovered.
69955 – 8036
69955-8036