JACKSON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Friends of Rena Fletcher says she is recovering, along with her grandson Zack, after a bad crash Monday afternoon in Estill County. Now, they want to thank the Good Samaritan, who helped them moments after a truck hydroplaned into their car on Highway 82.
"This is a tragedy," said friend Clara Gabbard. "This is a small town, everybody knows everybody."
However, Gabbard did not know the man’s name, who helped the Fletchers out of their car moments after the crash.
"(Rena) said it was a maroon car, a burgundy car, about a 20-year-old boy pulled her across the console out the passenger side and stayed with Zack and talked with Zack to keep him awake," Gabbard recalled a FaceTime call with Rena earlier in the day. The two work together at Jett Tours of Jackson, and posted on their Facebook page that she would like to meet that man.
Brandon Hobbs said he was at the right place at the right time.
"I used my pocketknife to cut off the seat belts and move some stuff out of the way," said Hobbs. "And we proceeded to get them to safety."
The 15-year veteran of the Kentucky National Guard said he and two other men helped with both Rena, Zack, and a third person who was driving the truck that hydroplaned. Hobbs said with smoke billowing from the car the Fletchers were trapped in, he feared the vehicle might explode, and had to get them out.
"I expect anyone would do this for me. it’s what we do. just stick together and help each other," Hobbs added.
Jett Tours would like to meet Hobbs and his family to thank him for what he did. They would also like to give him an extra gift as a token of gratitude.
"There are good people in the world, and that was a Good Samaritan," Gabbard said. "We want to find him and we want to thank him."
She said both Rena and Zack remain at UK Hospital. At last check, Rena was alert, but Zack was sedated — both with several injuries.
