By Matt Lakin
The Knoxville News-Sentinel
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Dennis Stevens was leaving work when he saw the trooper’s car ablaze.
“It was scary,” Stevens recalled. “Fire was shooting all around the car. I could hear those shells inside going off. He was still stuck in the car.”
The Tennessee Highway Patrol honored Stevens and four others Monday in a ceremony at the Knoxville district headquarters for their efforts that saved the life of THP Sgt. Lowell Russell in a fiery interstate crash last month.
Col. Tracy Trott, commander of the THP, and deputy commissioners Larry Godwin and David Purkey of the state Department of Safety handed out certificates of recognition and shook the hands of Stevens, paramedics Freddie Leslie and Kristi Graham, and Knoxville Police Department officers Andrew Keith and Steve Taylor.
“If they hadn’t acted, Lowell would not be with us today,” Trott said. “We just hope one day Lowell will be able to stand up here and thank them personally.”
Russell, 39, had pulled onto the shoulder of Interstate 40 West with his emergency lights on to finish paperwork when a flatbed tractor-trailer smashed into his cruiser around 2:50 a.m. Authorities say the rig’s driver, Eric Dewayne Lewis, 32, of Orlando, Fla., had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Leslie and Graham, who work for American Medical Response in Mc-Minn County, were driving behind the rig and ran to Russell’s aid. So did Stevens, who was leaving his shift at the nearby Sam’s Club, along with Keith, who drove up on the wreck.
Taylor arrived soon afterward.
Leslie fought the flames with an extinguisher. Stevens handed his utility knife to Lewis, the truck driver, who helped cut Russell’s seat belt. Stevens, Lewis, Keith and Leslie pulled Russell to safety while Taylor moved the ambulance to shield them from the exploding ammunition inside the cruiser.
Stevens and the others said they would have done the same for anyone.
“The good Lord has a reason for everything, and he just put us there,” Leslie said.
Russell left intensive care last week and continues to recover at a rehab center. Lewis, the truck driver, remains in jail, charged with reckless endangerment and aggravated vehicular assault.
Meanwhile, efforts continue to help Russell’s family with medical and other bills. “American Idol” finalist Bucky Covington will perform a benefit concert Sunday at 2 p.m. for Russell at Sequoyah High School in Madisonville, Tenn.
Tickets for the concert cost $10 and can be purchased at the door, at various Monroe County businesses or at www. helpthegoodguys.com.
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