WSYR-TV
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A local man who found himself in the middle of mayhem a week ago at the Daytona Motor Speedway reconnected with the man whose life he saved after a late race crash sent pieces of a race car into the stands, injuring nearly three dozen people.
Douglas “Smokey” Horton jumped in to help a fan who was badly hurt during the incident. Horton and the fan never thought they’d reconnect, but NewsChannel 9’s Jeff Kulikowsky pulled some strings and helped make it happen.
Tuesday was the first time Horton and the fan had spoken since their lives became intertwined at the Daytona Motor Speedway. When Kyle Larson’s car broke through the grandstand fence, dozens were hurt, including Steve Johnson, who was badly cut on the head. Horton, a volunteer firefighter who was watching the race just a few rows away sprung into action to help.
Full story: Injured race fan reconnects with CNY firefighter that helped save his life