Robert E. Chance

Robert E. Chance saved Jeffrey Jones from drowning, Spring, Texas, May 28, 2024. While attempting to exit a flooded parking lot during heavy rainfall, Jones, 53, unintentionally drove his pickup truck into a swollen drainage channel. Jones’ vehicle was pulled along the channel by fast-moving water before eventually coming to rest atop a submerged pipe and against the dividing column of a concrete culvert. As water inside the truck rose to Jones’ chest in the driver’s seat, Chance, 38, contractor, was driving past when he saw the truck. Unsure if anyone was inside, Chance exited his vehicle to investigate and saw Jones in the driver’s seat pounding on the front windshield. Chance retrieved a homemade hammer from his vehicle and jumped down onto the hood of the truck, which was situated about 2 feet below amid raging floodwater. Chance attempted to break the windshield with the hammer but was unsuccessful. Chance then climbed onto the roof and lowered himself into the bed of the truck. From there, Chance indicated to Jones that he was going to break the rear passenger window. Chance smashed the window with the hammer, at which point Jones climbed into the rear of the truck’s cab. Jones then moved to exit through the window opening by placing his right foot on the windowsill while Chance helped steady him by leaning over the truck bed’s rail, with Chance extending his right arm through the window opening to assist Jones. Chance, keeping Jones stable, helped Jones move into the truck’s bed. They then climbed onto the roof of the truck and onto the hood. A bystander lowered a small ladder to Chance and Jones, who then climbed to safety atop the culvert. Chance suffered no ill effects.

2024-0000213-10526