Billy Higgins saved Marion Veneri from burning, Shadyside, Ohio, December 8, 2010. Badly injured and unconscious, Veneri, 89, remained in the driver’s seat of his automobile after it was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer and pushed off the highway. Flames broke out at the rear of the car and began to spread inside. Higgins, 35, tire technician, was traveling nearby on the highway and witnessed the accident. He ran to the burning car and attempted without success to gain entry to it. Another motorist gave him a hammer, and with it Higgins broke out the window of the front passenger door. Opening the door, he completely entered the vehicle, reached Veneri, and cut Veneri’s safety belt with a pocketknife. Finding that Veneri was trapped in the wreckage, Higgins pulled on him until he was freed. He then backed from the car, pulling Veneri through the passenger door to the ground. Aided by others, Higgins dragged Veneri farther from the vehicle as flames grew to engulf and destroy it. Veneri was taken to the hospital but died later that day of his injuries. Higgins also required hospital treatment, for burns, including blistering, to his face and a hand. He recovered.
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