ST. GEORGE — Two men were publicly honored Tuesday with Gift of Life awards for life-saving efforts they made that saved a man who was trapped in a burning car.
During a Washington County Commission meeting held Tuesday, the Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue recognized Jayden Darrington, of St. George, and Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dustin “Dusty” Killpack for their involvement in an incident that took place June 9 at 2 a.m. on state Route 18.
Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue and other first responders received an alert about a vehicle crash that morning in the area of mile marker 13 on SR-18. While they were en route, Darrington happened to be passing by the crash site and reported the vehicle was on fire. He also stopped to render whatever aid he could.
“Jayden sprang into action, ran down the embankment to the burning vehicle and pried open the door,” Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Ryan D’ambrosio said during the commission meeting. “After the door was opened, he pulled the patient out of the vehicle and onto the ground.”
By that time, Killpack arrived and helped Darrington carry the man — who had been the vehicle’s driver — safely away from the burning wreck that was swiftly engulfed in flames.
Both men showed “extreme courage,” D’ambrosio said, and for that, the department wanted to recognize them.
Applause erupted in the commission chambers as Killpack walked up to receive the award. Darrington was not present. D’ambrosio told St. George News that Darrington likely wasn’t able to attend due to work. However, the department plans to have him out to their board meeting Thursday in order to officially recognize his life-saving actions.
While Killpack said he appreciated the recognition, he said he was just doing his job, and Darrington was the one worthy of the praise.
“This individual showed up on the scene with no idea what was going on and he jumped into action,” Killpack said.
In contact, it took Killpack nine minutes to reach the scene to help carry the injured driver away from the burning mess of crushed metal. The car itself had gone off the road, knocking down a 55 mph speed limit sign along the way
“We really need to be recognizing (Darrington) because of what he did,” he said.
If Darrington hadn’t arrived when he did, the driver would have likely perished in the spending fire, D’ambrosio said. Vehicle fires can “move quick” and it is often too late for those caught inside to be saved by the time firefighters arrive, he said.
“We see (Darrington and Killpack) as going above and beyond,” D’ambrosio said. “They were in the right place at the right time.”
According to the original report of the crash, the driver – and a passenger who had been able to escape the wreck on their own – had sustained “significant injuries” to their upper bodies and heads from the crash.
The cause of the crash is also suspected by authorities to have been the driver operating the car while intoxicated and possibly driving over twice the posted speed limit.
Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Lucas Alfred said the passenger told responders they were traveling at around 120 mph at the time of the crash.
Both the driver and passenger were taken to St. George Regional Hospital for care. Soon after, the driver was flown to Las Vegas by helicopter where he was placed in an intensive care unit. While D’ambrosio said he was unaware of the extent of the man’s injuries or what level of recovery has taken place, he said he knew the man spent nearly a month in the hospital before being able to return home.
Alfred, who was present at Tuesday’s commission meeting, said he appreciated Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue’s recognizing Killpack’s part in the incident. While he said “we’re just out there doing our job,” recognition by other groups helps “let the public know we’re out there doing this type of work.”
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