Brian K. Patterson

Brian K. Patterson rescued Alexa Tschantz from burning, Midway, Georgia, July 8, 2022. Alexa, ­­11, was a passenger in her mother’s sedan when it collided on a highway with a dump truck, striking the dump truck’s fuel tank, which caused both vehicles to burst into flames. Driving on the same road, Patterson, 36, aircraft mechanic, witnessed the accident. He and his teenage son exited their vehicle and ran to the sedan, escorting Alexa’s mother to safety about 50 feet from the vehicle, at which point the mother told Patterson that Alexa remained in the back seat. Patterson then ran back to the vehicle, where he was able to see Alexa’s left arm, which was illuminated by flame amid thick smoke in the passenger cab. Patterson then leaned into the vehicle to his shoulders and grasped Alexa’s left arm. Patterson then pulled Alexa across the seat and out of the vehicle, at which point he dragged her to safety. Patterson then removed his shirt and attempted to smother flames burning on Alexa’s clothing. A bystander arrived with a fire extinguisher and successfully helped Patterson extinguish the flames. Patterson and his son then stayed with Alexa until emergency personnel arrived and transported her to a nearby hospital. Alexa suffered fractures to each of her orbital bones and burns that covered 70 percent of her body. She spent about three months in the hospital recovering from her injuries. Patterson suffered singing to hairs on his arms and face; he did not seek medical attention.