Shown from left: Paul Pratt, Director, Customer Services & Marketing; honorees Justin Airhart, Field Meter Servicer; Gary Welch, Field Network Tech; Keithderick Addison, MRO Supervisor and Brett Mattison, SWEPCO President and COO.
At SWEPCO, we care for people and often our teams are first responders who lead with their heart to serve all our customers.
SWEPCO leaders took time recently to celebrate Justin Airhart, Field Meter Servicer and Gary Welch Field Network Tech, for their giving spirit and heroic acts when offering aid to a teenager injured in a car accident.
On May 3, a 17-year-old student was leaving high school when he accidentally veered off the road on the wrong side. He lost control of the vehicle as it became airborne and landed upside down in the ditch.
"It was his graduation day. The last day of school and the young driver was so excited about the day and his future," explained Gary Welch. "He lost control of the car, and we told him the smartest decision he made that day was to wear his seatbelt. It likely saved his life."
Justin and Gary were the first to respond when they saw an upside-down vehicle in the wood line near Hornbeck, Louisiana. The two immediately stopped their car and engaged their flasher and hazard lights to secure the area just as the driver was seen emerging from the wrecked car. Blood was visible behind his ears, and he was noticeably dazed. Luckily, the teenage driver had been wearing his seat belt, which helped prevent more serious injuries or ejected him from the car.
The vehicle where SWEPCO crews supported a teenage driver and quickly alerted 911 to send help.
"We did what anyone would have done," Justin Airhart said. "It's just second nature to show we care. I always think that could be my family and I would hope someone would respond and help them, just as we are doing."
Justin and Gary called 911 and stayed with him until helped arrived.
"The actions by Justin & Gary are exactly the attributes looked for in each of us, but many seldom engage as they did. We know this young driver and his family will be forever grateful because of their unselfish actions," explained Paul Pratt, Customer Services and Marketing, Director.
Justin and Gary were presented with a Good Samaritan Award in appreciation of their willingness to serve others and recognized by Brian Converse, Advanced Meter Infrastructure Manager; Keithderick Addision, MRO Supervisor and the entire SWEPCO Leadership Team.
Want to learn about safe driving fundamentals? Check out this helpful Smith5Keys of safe driving.