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Hero Father & Son Rescue Driver from Fiery Crash
23 Sep
Summary
- Father and son rescued a man from a burning SUV before it exploded.
- The rescue occurred near a downed 14,000-volt power line.
- Both rescuers and the victim avoided electrocution under baffling circumstances.
Larry Pickett Sr and his son, Larry Pickett Jr, a US Army cadet, are recipients of the Carnegie medal for heroism.
On August 31, 2025, they rescued David Denton from his SUV after it crashed near Fort Montgomery, New York.
The vehicle struck a power pole, bringing down lines with 14,000 volts onto the car. Despite the exterior flames and live wires, the Picketts, with the son's military training assisting, extracted Denton.
They navigated downed power lines and electrical arcing, with the elder Pickett nearly falling near a live wire.
Moments after Denton was safely across the road, the SUV was engulfed in flames.
Electrical engineers were baffled that the Picketts and Denton avoided electrocution.
Denton sustained only abrasions, while the Picketts were unharmed.
Picket Jr had just played a football game for the Army team at West Point.
His sister recorded the dramatic rescue, which circulated widely on social media.
Picket Jr also received the US Army's soldier's medal for his bravery.
The Carnegie medal honors those who face extreme danger to save others in the US and Canada.
