Soldier Honored for Rescuing Motorist

March 15, 2010
Courtesy of Utah National Guard Public Affairs
Draper, UT, United States

Private First Class Joshua Klein, a  member of the Utah Army National Guard's 115th Maintenance Company, was honored by the city of Taylorsville Friday evening at a recognition dinner for rescuing a trapped motorist from a burning car in December.

Klein was driving through Taylorsville Dec. 21 when he observed an SUV swerve and leave the roadway near 4700 South and 3800 West, striking a tree.

According to his written statement to the police, Klein was first on the scene and observed "smoke and small flames" coming from the SUV. Finding the doors locked and the driver unresponsive, Klein kicked in the passenger window, climbed in and unlocked the driver's door and unfastened his seatbelt.

Klein then climbed back out the passenger window, rushed around to the driver's door, opened it and pulled the driver to safety. He then performed first aid, and the driver regained consciousness as emergency crews arrived.