Thomas William Luzak saved Mary E. Wallace from drowning, Richwood, Kentucky, December 4, 1987. Mrs. Wallace, 66, was the driver of a compact car that skidded out of control on an icy street and entered a lake. Witnessing the accident from his home, Luzak, 42, business manager, drove to the scene. Although he was partially disabled by polio, which required him to wear a leg brace, Luzak ran to the bank of the lake, where he removed the brace, and dived into the water. He swam about 30 feet to the submerging car and attempted unsuccessfully to open its driver’s door. After telling Mrs. Wallace, who was dazed, to roll down her window, Luzak removed her from the car moments before it completely submerged. Luzak then swam to the bank with Mrs. Wallace, who was hospitalized for more than two weeks for hypothermia and other injuries. She recovered.
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