Man Who Pulled Driver from Burning Car is 'Karing Angel'
By: Blake Long
Updated: April 11, 2012
PEORIA - A local man is being honored as a hero after saving someone from a burning car.
John Arnolt was driving on Radnor Road in Peoria County in September when he saw a burning car on the side of the road.
He stopped his car and started yelling into the vehicle. Then he saw a hand reach out. That's when he pulled Ryan Smith out of the car. At the same moment, the fire erupted and blew out the car's windshield. Arnolt was able to get Smith to safety without a second to spare.
Now Arnolt is being thanked with the Peoria Downtown Kiwanis Club's Karing Angel award.
"It is a huge deal to me," said survivor Ryan Smith. "He saved my life, this is not even close to what I would like to convey to him, but it is a start. And it is something that he can hold on to and a moment he can remember because he deserves to be honored."
Smith was treated for burns. He is now fully recovered and enjoying his newborn son.
John Arnolt was driving on Radnor Road in Peoria County in September when he saw a burning car on the side of the road.
He stopped his car and started yelling into the vehicle. Then he saw a hand reach out. That's when he pulled Ryan Smith out of the car. At the same moment, the fire erupted and blew out the car's windshield. Arnolt was able to get Smith to safety without a second to spare.
Now Arnolt is being thanked with the Peoria Downtown Kiwanis Club's Karing Angel award.
"It is a huge deal to me," said survivor Ryan Smith. "He saved my life, this is not even close to what I would like to convey to him, but it is a start. And it is something that he can hold on to and a moment he can remember because he deserves to be honored."
Smith was treated for burns. He is now fully recovered and enjoying his newborn son.
