×
From the left: Clay County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Kyle Diekmann, Hunter Owens, Travis Owens, and Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting smile after the Owens' receive their life saving awards on Nov. 7, 2023.

Wahpeton father and son honored with lifesaver award for pulling truck driver from burning truck

By Michael Achterling Nov 8, 2023 | 2:23 PM

Detroit Lakes , MN (KDLM) – Travis Owens and his 19-year-old son, Hunter Owens, both of Wahpeton, North Dakota, have been honored for the rescue of a truck driver involved in a fiery crash south of Sabin last month.

On Oct. 8, the truck driver, Jase Kelly, had fallen asleep at the wheel as a result of a long shift working the sugar beet harvest. He drove off a county road and the semi violently struck a tree. Kelly was still inside the truck and it caught fire.

Travis and Hunter were driving down the road, saw the fully engulfed truck, stopped, and without regard to his own safety, Travis pulled Kelly from the semi and moved him to safety. Hunter helped his father by getting a knife to cut the seatbelt and calling 911 to report the crash.

Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting presented the father and son the awards by the Sheriff’s office. He thanked them for their courage to stop and help that day. He said, quote: “There’s no doubt that your actions on October 8 definitely saved a life.”

Clay County Sgt. Kyle Diekmann nominated the Owens’ for the award.

Story by Don Haney / KFGO

Latest News

FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!

FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!