Two rescuers to be honored

Brunk, Ellis saved couple from burning truck

A Holts Summit man and Columbia man will receive Honorary Trooper Certificates, according to Capt. Michael A. Turner, commanding officer of Troop F of the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Certificates are presented to non-employees who perform in exemplary manners, and under dangerous conditions, to aid others, or who unselfishly assists a member in the performance of their duties.

The men were nominated due to their actions at the scene of a motor vehicle crash in Callaway County. The presentation will be 9 a.m. Friday at Westminster College in the Mueller Leadership Hall, Marsh-Jones Room.

On Aug. 21, troopers were called to a three-vehicle crash on Route J near the intersection of Route F. Jacob R. Ellis, a Westminster student from Columbia, and Adam G.H. Brunk, of Holts Summit, were traveling in separate vehicles and witnessed the crash.

The crash occurred as a 2005 Ford 500 was traveling south on Route J, lost control on a curve, crossed the centerline, and struck a 1991 Chevrolet pickup head-on. After the initial impact, the Ford 500 struck a 2013 Ford Focus. The Chevrolet pickup caught fire.

There were two occupants in the Chevrolet pickup. A female was sitting in the front passenger seat and rendered incapacitated due to severe chest pains. The male driver was sitting in the driver's seat, but his left leg was pinned. He was unable to free himself from the burning vehicle.

Ellis and Brunk quickly rushed to the burning truck and began to assist the occupants. Brunk attempted to open the driver's door, but it was jammed due to the collision. Ellis and Brunk then went to the passenger side door and helped remove the female from the pickup. Brunk walked the female away from the burning vehicle, where she could wait safely for emergency personnel to arrive on scene.

The fire had spread from under the pickup to along the driver's door, and the driver's left leg was still pinned. In the cab, flames were coming from the middle console. Together, Brunk and Ellis entered the pickup through the passenger door, and worked at freeing the driver until they were able to pull him from the burning vehicle.

Shortly after the driver was freed, the cab of the pickup was engulfed in fire.

"The actions of Mr. Ellis and Mr. Brunk were exemplary," Turner said. "Both gentlemen upheld the Missouri State Highway Patrol's motto of service and protection."