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HOUSTON, TX- The Harris County Sheriff’s Office recognized two good samaritans whose heroic actions saved a man’s life during a fiery crash along the Grand Parkway.
On September 27, a van struck a guardrail on Grand Parkway near Kuykendahl Road and erupted into flames with two passengers trapped inside. Witnesses immediately called 911 and rushed toward the burning vehicle.
Fabian Gutierrez, who was on his way to visit family, saw the smoke and followed another good samaritan toward the crash.
“I could see his hand reaching out from the smoke — I just grabbed onto it and started pulling, just to get him out,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez’s own hands were burned as he fought to free the driver, but he wasn’t thinking about himself.
At the same time, Kevin Welsh, the son of two retired HCSO deputies, was on his way to a prayer retreat when he encountered the crash.
He quickly ran up the embankment and called 911, working alongside Gutierrez and other good samaritans to pull the man to safety.
“I just told him, keep breathing, keep breathing. I got his name, told him God’s here with us,” Welsh said.
Welsh and Gutierrez used water and rags to tend to the driver’s injuries and prayed together at the scene until first responders arrived. HCSO deputies, fire rescue, and EMS transported the driver, who remains in critical condition.
Tragically, the second passenger did not survive. Deputies noted that without the quick actions of Gutierrez, Welsh, and others, the outcome could have been far worse.
To honor their bravery, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office presented both men with challenge coins featuring St. Michael, the patron saint of law enforcement and protection.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest gratitude to all good samaritans who stepped forward in this moment of crisis, exemplifying the strength and compassion of our community.
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