Paralyzed Texas Man Pulled From Burning Car by Bystander

A partially paralyzed man was rescued Sunday from a burning vehicle in Dallas, Texas, by a woman who rushed to the auto on fire outside her friend’s home.

Dennis Brown, 58, was driving a rental vehicle that caught fire while he was behind the wheel, according to a report from the New York Post.

Mississippi resident Tammi Arrington came to Brown’s rescue, the report noted.

Arrington was at a friend’s house when she noticed flames engulfing the vehicle he was driving. Initially, she didn’t see Brown inside. When she did, Arrington tried to help Brown out of the vehicle.

Brown informed Arrington of his paralysis, which made his situation even more dire. Arrington initially attempted to retrieve Brown’s wheelchair but soon realized there wasn’t enough time to set it up.

With no time to spare, she pulled Brown from the vehicle just as the flames intensified, according to the report.

“I just happened to see his head move just a little bit from the headrest, and then I realized there was someone in there,” Arrington said in an interview with the New York Post.

Brown has been paralyzed from the waist down since the age of 22 due to a gunshot injury, the Post reported.

“It’s kind of dawning on me the kind of danger I was in,” said Brown. “If it wasn’t for Tammi, I don’t know how I possibly would’ve gotten out or how close I would’ve gotten burned or wouldn’t be here today if not for Tammi.”

Brown’s family, deeply grateful for Arrington’s selfless act, wanted to express their gratitude but had not gotten her name during their initial encounter.

The rescued man spoke with Fox 4, hoping his savior would see the interview.

“I’d like to appreciate her for her heroic act,” he told the station. “She went into harm’s way to save me. Dragged me out. I’d like to thank her.”

Upon hearing about Brown’s wish to speak with her, Arrington reached out to the news station to get in touch, the report noted.

“I almost lost my child in this burning car,” Brown’s mother Julia said. “I cannot thank her enough. If she had not pulled him out, he would have burned in that car.”

“She was his angel.”