What would you do if you saw a car about to turn down the wrong way into oncoming traffic? This happened to, Paul Tarashuk Jr., at the time 17, in February 2010 when he saw an elderly woman turning into the fast lane of oncoming traffic. Realizing the serious situation the elderly woman was in, Tarashuk called 911 for help and then blocked her path with his own car. The elderly woman, Marie Vickery, 88, who was suffering from dementia and had been reported missing earlier in the day had no idea what was going on and did not let Tarashuk’s car stop her. She backed up and went around Tarashuk’s car to continue travelling south into northbound traffic on Route 202-31 in East Amwell Township, New Jersey. Fearing that she would get into a car accident, Tarashuk went after Vickery and was able to finally get her to stop. He drove her to safety and met up with local police to get Vickery some help. Vickery told Tarashuk that she was just trying to get home.
“I stopped at a stoplight and then I saw this lady turning into the oncoming traffic. She came and hit the car next to me and then backed up and the cars crossing the highway almost hit her. When the light turned green, I started to drive on. I realized I witnessed something, though, and I had to turn around and help the lady.” – Paul Tarashuk, Jr.
For his heroic actions that likely saved Vickery from getting into a car accident, Tarashuk has recently been awarded a $10,000 scholarship by the Dana Christmas Scholarship Foundation that is given to New Jersey students who have shown heroic actions.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in the Northern Virginia area, order this Free consumer guide for accident victims in Virginia. It’s packed with useful information the insurance companies don’t want you to know. If you have questions about your car accident case, contact Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today for a FREE evaluation at (571) 206-0215.
Sources:
- AOL Autos – NJ Teen Driver Bravely Stops Car And Wins Scholarship – Heroic and dangerous act recognized
- NJ.com – Scholarship honors Flemington man’s heroics on highway
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