US Army football player and his dad save a man from flames after a car crash near West Point after Times Square visit in New York
Share this @internewscast.com

An Army football player and his father have been commended for their “heroic” and “selfless” act of rescuing a man from a wrecked car just before it caught fire near the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

On an early Sunday morning, sophomore safety Larry Pickett Jr. and his father, Larry Pickett Sr., were captured in a video pulling a man from the driver’s seat and moving him to safety away from the vehicle.

At one point, a woman could be heard screaming: “Larry! Come on! Come on! Get him out!”

There was no discussion. My son just jumped right into action.

The white sedan had collided with a utility pole on Route 9W in Fort Montgomery, New York, roughly 3.8 miles (6.1 kilometers) from West Point, according to officials. The rescue was filmed by Pickett Jr.’s sister, Lauren, and showed sparks and downed wires surrounding the car.

The Picketts, who were visiting for Pickett Jr.’s first football game of the season, encountered the crash on their way back to campus after having dinner in Times Square, New York City. They remained with the injured man until emergency services arrived.

“Shortly after midnight, I witnessed my son, Larry Pickett Jr., run toward the burning vehicle, heedless of the live wires crackling around it,” Pickett Sr. shared in a Facebook post along with his daughter’s video. “With incredible bravery, he pulled the man to safety, shielding him from a potential tragedy.”

Speaking to WTVD-TV in their hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, Pickett Sr. mentioned that his son “said his military training kicked in” when he instinctively reacted to the situation.

The elder Pickett said they stayed with the man until first responders arrived.

When "LJ" saw the wreck, he sprang into action, his father told ABC11.

When “LJ” saw the wreck, he sprang into action, his father told ABC11.

“There was no discussion. My son just jumped right into action,” Larry Pickett Sr. said. “We pulled him out. He took care of him on the side of the road until the police officers got there. And then the fire department got there shortly after.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, the U.S. Military Academy wrote: “We’re proud of the heroic actions taken Saturday night by Cadet Larry Pickett Jr” and his father. Their actions, the academy said, are “the embodiment” of U.S. Army values.

Army Athletic Director Tom Theodorakis wrote on X that the Picketts’ conduct is “exactly what we strive to develop … leadership, courage, and selfless service.”

“Cadet Larry Pickett Jr. and his father exemplify the values we hold dear, stepping up in a moment of crisis to save a life,” Theodorakis wrote. “Proud to see these traits in action, on and off the fields of friendly strife. Count the brave.”

Pickett Jr.’s off-field heroics came a day after he saw action in Army’s season opener, assisting on a tackle on a kickoff in the first quarter of the Black Knights’ 30-27 overtime loss Friday night to Tarleton State. His next game is Sept. 6 at Kansas State.

“Thank you Jesus that this man will live to see another day! I am so grateful for my son LJ for saving his life!” the elder Pickett wrote on Facebook.

Pickett Sr.’s account of the rescue appeared alongside videos of Pickett Jr. playing football and posts about the cadet being featured in the EA Sports College Football 26 video game and named as Army football’s “Skill Worker of the Week.”

Pickett Jr.’s actions were a “testament to the character West Point is building in him – a readiness to go into the line of fire, not just for his country, but for anyone who needs it,” Pickett Sr. wrote.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Illegal street takeover shuts down busy intersection with dangerous stunts, fireworks: police

Expert Reveals Organized Crime Rings Exploiting Youth in Vehicle Thefts for Dramatic Street Takeovers

Authorities are urgently trying to curb a disturbing trend where organized crime…
Hamas Reprisals: Terror Group Accused of Killing Pregnant Woman, 5-Year-Old in Gaza

Hamas Retaliations: Accusations Arise Over Killing of Pregnant Woman and Child in Gaza

A venomous snake’s nature is to be feared, and in this instance,…
John Bolton arrives at court to surrender to authorities on charges in classified information case

John Bolton’s Courtroom Drama: What You Need to Know About His Classified Information Charges

On Friday, former national security adviser John Bolton appeared at a federal…
Teen street musician jailed for leading anti-Putin song performance in St. Petersburg: report

Teen Street Musician Arrested for Performing Anti-Putin Song in St. Petersburg: Report

A teenage street performer has been incarcerated in St. Petersburg for leading…
Interim head of Chicago ICE field office, Russell Hott, called to testify on feds' use of force, heading back to Washington

Chicago ICE Interim Chief Russell Hott to Testify on Federal Use of Force in Washington

The interim director of the Chicago U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)…
Win free deep dish for a year: Pizzeria Due celebrates 70 years during National Pizza Month

Celebrate National Pizza Month: Win a Year of Free Deep Dish as Pizzeria Due Marks 70th Anniversary!

In the heart of Chicago, a culinary institution is celebrating a remarkable…
LA county reaches tentative $828M agreement to settle 400 more claims of sexual abuse

LA County Agrees to $828M Settlement for 400 Sexual Abuse Claims: A Major Step Towards Justice

Los Angeles County has reached a preliminary agreement worth $828 million to…
Thatcher centennial celebration examines how Reagan partnership guides modern US-UK relations

Exploring Thatcher’s Legacy: How Her Alliance with Reagan Shapes Today’s US-UK Relations

Trump speaks with Putin one day before meeting with Zelenskyy Fox News’…
Disney magic lifting spirits at La Rabida Children's Hospital on South Promontory Drive in Jackson Park, Chicago

Disney Brings Joy to Young Patients at La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago

CHICAGO — At La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago, superheroes and beloved…
Zelenskyy pitches Trump on Ukraine drone-for-Tomahawk missile exchange as president weighs escalation concerns

Zelenskyy Proposes Drone-for-Tomahawk Missile Swap to Trump Amid Rising Escalation Concerns

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday that he has a “proposal”…
Video shows masked trio in Halloween costumes terrorize family in attempted home invasion

Masked Trio in Halloween Costumes Attempt Home Invasion, Terrify Family in Chilling Footage

A chilling video has emerged showing a group of individuals in menacing…
Daniel Cameron banking on his name ID to overcome lackluster fundraising in Kentucky Senate race

Can Daniel Cameron’s Name Recognition Outshine Fundraising Gaps in the Kentucky Senate Race?

In a lively gathering in Louisville, Kentucky, Senate hopeful Daniel Cameron addressed…