Good Samaritan act earns Arnold pipefitter praise

  • Published
  • By Bradley Hicks
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Casey Culver was in the right place at the right time.

When Culver, the lead in the Base Civil Engineering Pipe Shop at Arnold Air Force Base, encountered someone - who just so happens to be a fellow member of Team AEDC - in need of help, he didn’t hesitate to stop and lend a hand.

On April 12, Culver was recognized for his actions. Ronnie Skipworth, Base Operations and Support Director for the Test Operations and Sustainment contractor at Arnold AFB, presented Culver with a coin and certificate.

“I’m just proud to get to help,” Culver said.

Culver was making commute from his Hytop, Alabama, home to begin his workday at Arnold when something caught his eye.

Just before the Alabama-Tennessee state line along Alabama State Highway 79 on the morning of April 5, Culver observed the beam from a cell phone flashlight swaying along the roadside. Patricia Henderson, a DOD contract specialist at Arnold, was attempting to get his attention.

Henderson’s efforts paid off. Culver stopped to see if she needed assistance. Henderson had driven through a puddle and her vehicle began hydroplaning. She lost control and hit the ditch along the highway. The airbags in her car had deployed and the vehicle was damaged.

“The front bumper was laying a pretty good piece up in the woods,” Culver said.

Culver quickly learned he and Henderson had something in common.

“When I pulled up, what kind of got me is she said she worked at Arnold,” he said. “I said, ‘Hey, I work there, too.’”

The two work in different areas of the base and their paths had not crossed at Arnold, but Culver and Henderson had met before. Henderson worked as a dental hygienist prior to beginning her career at Arnold. It turns out she recognized Culver from his prior visits to the dental office at which she worked.

“It’s funny how things work,” Henderson said.

Henderson had attempted to flag down Culver to see if he had a cell phone signal. Unfortunately, the wreck occurred in an area with “awful” cell service, according to Culver.

With either unable to call family, authorities or a tow truck, Culver offered to drive Henderson back to her home in Scottsboro, Alabama – around 30 miles from the scene of the crash.

Culver said Henderson was “addled,” still shaken from the accident that had occurred just moments earlier.

“She was kind of disoriented a little bit; her adrenaline was pumping like crazy,” he said. “She said she had never wrecked before.”

After Henderson began to settle down, the pain from her accident started to hit.

“She said, ‘I’m hurting,’” Culver said. “I offered to take her to the hospital about three times, and she kept refusing. She just wanted me to take her home. She said her mom or her daughter could take her.”

With that, the two made the trip back to Henderson’s residence.

“He took me all the way to my front door,” she said. “He was a blessing.”

After dropping Henderson off at her home, Culver went on to work to begin his shift. Wanting to make sure Henderson was doing okay, he spoke with her coworkers later that day and left his phone number. Henderson texted Culver that weekend to let him know that, other than some soreness, she was fine. She also expressed her gratitude for Culver’s assistance.

A little more than a week after the accident, Henderson said the soreness is receding. She referred to Culver as a “Good Samaritan.”

“He went above and beyond for sure,” she said.

Culver said he is glad Henderson is doing well, adding he didn’t mind running a little late for work on the day he stopped to assist her.

“If that was my wife or son or daughter-in-law, I’d just appreciate somebody helping them,” Culver said. “I was just proud to get to help her.”

For those stopping to assist a stranded motorist, several steps can be taken to make the situation safer. Those stopping should be aware of other vehicles on the roadway and pull their vehicles all the way on the shoulder – do not stop in the road.

Motorists who are involved in accidents or experience vehicle breakdowns should attempt to get their vehicles off of the road and, if possible, contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol at 423-634-6898 or #847 from a cell phone. The vehicle hazard lights should be activated.

Because accidents or breakdowns can happen any time of the day or in any season, motorists should carry a flashlight or flares in their vehicle, as well as blankets and additional clothing, including an extra jacket.

It is generally recommended that if a motorist becomes stranded, he or she should typically stay in the car and call for help, unless road or other conditions make it unsafe to do so.

According to the website sixwise.com, if you are waiting inside your vehicle, lock all the doors. If someone approaches, roll down the window slightly and ask them to phone the police for you. It is not advisable to get into a stranger’s car or to exit your call to talk to a stranger. Motorists are also advised to be wary of giving strangers a ride – doing so is likewise not advisable.

Those who encounter an emergency or require non-emergency response on Wattendorf Highway may reach the Arnold Protective Services at 931-454-5662.