May 16, 2014 – Westfield Fire Department firefighter Pedro Rodriguez was honored by The 100 Club of Houston 60th Annual Heroes Awards ceremony on May 14th. Rodriguez was nominated for the award by a fellow firefighter for his rescue, which took place on August 15th, 2013.
Rodriguez was leaving his shift at Westfield when he observed a vehicle on Beltway 8 leave the roadway and collide with a light pole head on. Rodriguez immediately stopped his vehicle and called 911.
While approaching the vehicle to check on the occupants, a fire began spreading quickly underneath the hood. Rodriguez opened the passenger door and assisted a female occupant out of the vehicle. At this point, Rodriguez noticed the male driver was pinned inside. Rodriguez was able to crawl into the backseat of the vehicle and pull the driver from underneath the dashboard. With the fire spreading rapidly, Rodriguez exited the vehicle and was able to pull the driver out through the passenger door.
“We are very proud of Firefighter Rodriguez ” said Westfield District Chief Chris Turrentine. “In an emergency situation, seconds count. Had Rodriguez not been in the right place at the right time, and acted with unyielding courage, the driver of the vehicle most certainly would have perished.”