August 23, 2008 05:17 pm
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Danie M. Huffman
wdreporter2@yahoo.com
Friday afternoon, a man laid in a hospital bed grateful to be alive, attributing two Parker County Sheriff’s deputies.
The victim, Christopher Allen, 42, was on his way to his wife’s work around 5 a.m. to bring her the glasses she forgot earlier that morning.
Allen said as he drove his 1997 pickup northbound on Highway 51 South, it was foggy and the road was wet.
“I came on a curve and hit the brakes,” Allen said. “It locked up on me and I hit the pole head on.”
He added a separate, unrelated accident occurred moments before in front of him, where the deputies were already responding to.
He tried to move, but remained trapped inside his truck bleeding from a broken leg and ankle, while flames ignited near the engine.
“I just wanted out,” Allen said. “I could feel it bleeding. I couldn’t do anything about it.”
Allen noticed flames coming from the hood of the truck growing, when he saw the deputies run toward him.
“One of them busted out the window,” he said, although they could not remove him from the driver’s side due to the way he was positioned.
Deputies Eric Lee and James Allain ran to the passenger side, pulled Allen from the burning wreckage and placed him in a patrol unit across the road.
Allen said the truck immediately blew up in flames.
“If they hadn’t of been there — if I would have had to wait anytime at all, I’d have been cooked,” he said. “It was just in time.”
Ofelia Allen, Christopher’s wife, said she wants to meet the men who saved her husband’s life.
“He’s my best friend,” Ofelia said of Christopher. “He’s my confidant, my everything. I wouldn’t have him today.”
Ofelia paused to collect her emotions as tears swelled in her eyes. “I owe them more than words can ever say.”
Christopher underwent surgery to fix the compound fractures in his left leg and ankle Thursday.
Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler intends on commending his deputies. He nominated Lee and Allain for the Life Saving award, which is rarely given.
“I’m glad Mr. Allen is doing well and that the deputies were able to save him,” Fowler said.
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