Three citizens were recognized by the Athens-Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services Department and the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission during the Regular Session meeting on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at City Hall. During the special presentation, ACC Fire and Emergency Services Chief Jeff Scarbrough described the circumstances surrounding an emergency that took place on February 11, 2018 at 5:45 p.m. on Lexington Road. 

The emergency was described by a frantic 911 caller as a two vehicle head-on collision that resulted in one vehicle catching fire, several occupants being trapped inside heavily-damaged vehicles, and a child who was not breathing. The ACC Police Department's Communications Division dispatched the ACC Fire and Emergency Service Department, ACC Police Department, and National EMS to the scene. Emergency responders arrived to find the front half of both vehicles crushed all the way back to the dashboard by the force of the collision and worked feverishly to extinguish the fire and care for the injured, who were ultimately transported by ambulance to the hospital.

“Our community’s emergency medical system is much more than just the 911 center and our first responders," said Scarbrough. "It is also members of our community who are the first ones at the scene of an emergency, such as these three citizens.”

Three members of the community happened to be on Lexington Road that Sunday evening when the vehicle crash occurred and chose to get involved and make a difference prior to the arrival of first responders. Vicki Bishop, a nurse, provided care for the injured child and performed CPR until firefighters arrived. Michael Derricotte, a father and husband, pulled the injured driver out of the vehicle on fire. Emma Strong, a University of Georgia student, helped open a jammed car door and get several occupants out of the vehicles.

During the presentation, Mayor Nancy Denson thanked the three and presented each with a Citizen Award. Those in attendance at the meeting gave the three a standing ovation. 

“The courageous and selfless actions of these three people saved lives and deserve to be recognized," Scarbrough said. "They chose to get involved and help people they didn’t even know. They clearly made a difference in our community.”

A video of the full April 3, 2018 Mayor and Commission meeting is available online at www.youtube.com/accgov or www.accgov.com/videos. A direct link to the recognition ceremony during the meeting is available at https://youtu.be/Azfs6rZCpmg?t=2m44s. A high-resolution image of the citizens with their awards from after the meeting is available at www.accgov.com/gallery.aspx?PID=2517.