Detroit Firefighter Honored for Daring Rescue of Woman from Burning Vehicle

Detroit firefighter Donald Faulkner was honored for rescuing a woman from a burning vehicle in January.

Faulkner's act of bravery occurred on Jan. 4, when he dove into the back of a burning SUV to rescue 52-year-old Latishia Collins on Detroit's west side, as reported by Detroit Fox 2.

"I realized she was in there, heard her screaming, looked at the car, and figured out the best way to get her out," Faulkner said.

Collins, trapped in the SUV after it caught fire following a collision with a truck, was the passenger Faulkner rescued, according to Fox 10 News.

“Tried to pull the door. That’s when I checked all of them. After that, I just found the best route to try to get her out with the least injuries possible,” Faulkner said.

Faulkner recently visited Collins and her family at DMC's intensive care unit, where Collins faces a long recovery, including learning to walk again.

"It’s a blessing, a breath of fresh air," said Faulkner. "After they go to the hospital, we don’t normally know what’s going on. When I got to meet her again, and she’s under better circumstances, it was a relief to know she’s doing better."

On May 1, Faulkner, a nine-year Detroit firefighter, was honored for his heroism.

"I’m very grateful for him. I even told my mom when she woke up—she didn’t know what was going on," said Tanisha Morgan, Collins’ daughter. "I told her if it wasn’t for the firefighters, any second later, you wouldn’t be here. It was so bad."

Faulkner is keeping Collins in his prayers and had this to say to her, "Still praying for you and looking forward to that chili she was talking about, she said she makes a mean chili," he said.