Deputies Honored for Saving Teen's Life

By Jami Brinton, Reporter

Tools

By Jami Brinton

IOWA CITY - Dramatic video released today shows how two Johnson County sheriff's deputies risked their lives to help rescue a high school student from a fiery crash that killed a classmate earlier this year.

The heroic actions of the two deputies saved one student's life.

But that same crash in March did kill Clear Creek Amana high school senior Lisa Adams of Oxford.

Early morning on March 14, Johnson County Deputy Pete Ungaro races to the scene of a car crash.

"It seemed to take like forever to get there," said Ungaro.

Shortly after arriving on scene, Ungaro noticed Deputy Phil Schintler fighting flames to pull someone out of the burning car.

"He was seatbelted in but was pinned between the two bucket seats in the back seat on the floor board," explained Schintler. "Could hardly see him."

The deputies worked feverishly to get 18 year old Joseph, also known as JD, Widmer out of the car.

"I had gone in and cut seat belts and pulled JD out of the vehicle," said Schintler.

This afternoon, JD watched what happened that night with his family and the two men who saved his life, during a special ceremony honoring the quick-thinking actions of the the deputies.

"I'm really glad they were there on time," said JD Widmer. "I know they were just doing their job but it was a very heroic act."

"We're just so thankful he's okay," said Janet Widmer. "A walking miracle. He absolutely is."

The deputies say they were just doing their job, but to JD and his family, their actions mean a whole lot more.

"Ya, good to be alive," said JD.

The two deputies received the life-saving award which no one in the Johnson County Sheriff's Department has received in recent decades.

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.


read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.

More Good Stuff

What's On KCRG