Cpl. James Thuss named State Employee of the Month

Cpl. James Thuss of the Missouri State Highway Patrol
Cpl. James Thuss of the Missouri State Highway Patrol

Missouri Highway Patrol Cpl. James Thuss with Troop A in Lee's Summit is State Employee of the Month for October.

He is being honored for his actions at the scene of a two-vehicle crash that occurred in February in Cass County.

Thuss was on patrol when he spotted a vehicle traveling 68 mph in a 50 mph zone.

As he turned his patrol car around, the vehicle sped up to more than 100 mph.

Thuss followed the vehicle, which went through a red stop light at the intersection of Route D and Missouri 58. At the same time, a vehicle going west on Missouri 58 went into the intersection and was struck by the fleeing vehicle. The victim's vehicle caught fire, and Thuss radioed for ambulance and fire department response.

Thuss positioned his vehicle near the victim's vehicle and tried to provide assistance. The victim, Rebecca Crawford, of Belton, was seriously injured and unable to move. As the vehicle continued to burn, Thuss worked to free Crawford from the driver's seat, pulled her to the passenger side and began to lift her from the burning vehicle. Thuss was joined by an unidentified bystander in carrying Crawford to a safe location. During this time, Thuss severely strained his left calf muscle, but despite his injury, he continued to give aid to Crawford until fire crews could get to the scene.

Meanwhile, the suspect vehicle fled the scene, but with the assistance of bystanders and other responding law enforcement agencies, the suspect was apprehended in a nearby field.

Crawford was taken to a trauma center and underwent several days of intensive care treatment. She is continuing to recover from her injuries.