Zachary Daniel Smith saved Manuel D. Corral, Jr., from burning, Santa Fe Springs, California, May 17, 1998. Manuel, 16, was the driver of a car that, in a highway accident at night, overturned onto its driver’s side and caught fire. Although he was conscious, he was trapped by his safety belt, which he could not release. Smith, 19, college student, was driving on the same highway and saw the overturned and burning car. Smith stopped at the scene and as he approached the car saw Manuel struggling inside. He went to the rear of the car and, despite smoke in the interior and flames beginning there, entered through the rear window, which was missing. Although Manuel greatly outweighed him, Smith lifted Manuel to gain access to the safety belt, which he then released. Smith grasped Manuel and pulled him into the back-seat area. They then exited the car through the rear window and ran to a point of safety moments before flames engulfed the car, destroying it. Manuel sustained abrasions, from which he recovered, and Smith recovered from an abrasion to a leg.
72767 – 8335
72767-8335