Veteran Freddie Finkley, 56, and his girlfriend, Stephanie Tidwell, have been homeless for approximately five years.
On Wednesday, April 7, they were panhandling at the Cervantes Street ramps by Interstate 110, just north of downtown Pensacola.
Finkley told the
Pensacola News Journal that he observed a car weaving, and seconds later, the vehicle collided head-on with a pickup truck.
He recalled:
“Then I ran onto the bridge.
“Then the car started to catch on fire, and then the flames were coming through the dashboard.”
The car’s driver, Eric Lopez, 34, began “panicking” and yelled at Finkley and another passerby to stop helping him. Despite Lopez’ protestations and the raging flames, Finkley persisted.
Homeless Army veteran pulls Florida man from burning vehicle
By FOX 35 News Staff
Published article
PENSACOLA, Fla. - A homeless Army veteran is being called a hero for pulling a man to safety when his car caught fire after a head-on crash in Florida’s Panhandle.
Freddie Finkley, 56, was standing near an intersection with his girlfriend Stephanie Tidwell on April 7 when they witnessed the crash on an I-10 overpass near Pensacola.
Finkley told the Pensacola News Journal he pulled Eric Lopez, 34, from the vehicle as flames were coming through the dashboard. Anybody that helps out another person especially in this case where it could have or did save a life we certainly appreciate that, Pensacola Police Department spokesman Officer Mike Wood told the newspaper. It’s not very often that people want to get involved anymore, but he did.
Homeless Army Veteran Saves Man from Burning Vehicle: God s Angel breitbart.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from breitbart.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Homeless Florida Army veteran pulls man from burning vehicle
He saw a crash, then pulled a man out of a vehicle as flames were coming through the dashboard.
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Updated 3 hours ago
PENSACOLA â A homeless Army veteran is being called a hero for pulling a man to safety when his car caught fire after a head-on crash in Floridaâs Panhandle.
Freddie Finkley, 56, was standing near an intersection with his girlfriend Stephanie Tidwell on April 7 when they witnessed the crash on an I-10 overpass near Pensacola.
Finkley told the Pensacola News Journal he pulled Eric Lopez, 34, from the vehicle as flames were coming through the dashboard.
Homeless Army veteran pulls man from burning vehicle in Florida orlandosentinel.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from orlandosentinel.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.