A humble FedEx driver, Jonathan Rohrbach, has emerged as a beacon of courage and selflessness following his daring rescue of a man from a burning car on Interstate 15 near Scripps Ranch, California. Rohrbach’s story, a shining example of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things, stands as a testament to the heart and strength of the American people.
Rohrbach, a seasoned truck driver of 20 years, was on his usual route from Riverside County to Otay Mesa when he noticed an unusual sight in the early morning hours of Wednesday. A Toyota Camry sedan was ablaze on the side of the interstate. Immediately recognizing the gravity of the situation, Rohrbach knew he had to act.
WATCH: FedEx driver pulls man from burning car https://t.co/y20UVoyEOw pic.twitter.com/QWkjzL0Q8t
— WBAY-TV 2 (@WBAY) July 27, 2023
“As soon as I saw the car, it was still actively on fire. You gotta stop to see if you can do anything at all,” Rohrbach explained to the media.
Taking swift action, he utilized his truck’s fire extinguisher to beat back the flames and create an opportunity to reach the driver. The 28-year-old man could not escape the wreckage due to significant leg injuries, trapped in a rapidly worsening situation as the vehicle reignited and started to fill with smoke. Undeterred, Rohrbach risked his safety to pull the victim from the flames, even as the car exploded.
Rohrbach’s heroic action was captured in dramatic video footage by a KGTV cameraman who had arrived on the scene. The footage serves as a chilling testament to the accident’s severity, showing the car becoming fully engulfed in flames and exploding.
https://youtu.be/BbmrJpAhBco
Despite praise from coworkers and people nationwide, Rohrbach remains modest about his actions, insisting, “I just happened to be the right guy in the right place at the right time.” He firmly believes that he was doing nothing more than what any other person would do in the same situation.
The California Highway Patrol confirmed that the victim was rushed to a local hospital with “major non-life-threatening injuries” and is in stable condition. In a poignant reminder of the incident’s severity, Rohrbach stated, “He is lucky to be alive.”
Rohrbach’s actions reiterate the importance of courage and preparedness in emergencies, providing a model for citizens nationwide. His selfless bravery reminds us that heroes exist among us in everyday life. They may not always wear capes or uniforms but instead don the attire of an ordinary working American.
