Walled Lake man thanks rescuers after burning car rescue

Steven Hammon thanks heroes after having seizure, crashing into tree

WALLED LAKE, Mich. – A 23-year-old Walled Lake man is thanking two good Samaritans and an officer who helped save him from a burning car.

Steven Hammon, 23, was driving along Welch Road when all of a sudden he had a seizure, drove off the road and smashed into a tree, sending his truck up in flames.

Read: Man saved by officer, good Samaritans

"That night, there was someone definitely looking out for me," said Hammon. "They just wanted to get me out."

Mike Wilkie and Bob Palmers were up against time after they noticed a big fire ball on the side of the road.

"I started hollering to him and there was no response," said Wilkie.

As the truck was pinned in by trees, Hammon was trapped inside. The fire was spreading fast, but Wilkie and Palmers said they were determined to save Hammon.

Walled Lake police officer Robert Alonzi then arrived at the scene. Alonzi extinguished the fire while Wilkie and Palmers cleared the tree limbs that were blocking the door. They then finally pulled Hammon to safety, just seconds before the entire truck exploded with flames.

"The darn thing went up, sent chills throughout my body," said Palmers.

Hammon was rushed to the hospital with a collapsed lung. His two good Samaritans thought he had died, but because of them, Hammon is alive and well, grateful for the heroic acts of two complete strangers.

"I just want to thank them. It's people like this that's keeping my faith in humanity," said Hammon. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here right now."