Unsung Hero Saves Life, Then Pays it Forward

In a remarkable display of selflessness and compassion, a Concho Valley man who rescued a stranger from a burning vehicle was recognized for his heroic actions and used the reward money to further assist the victim. This inspiring story highlights the power of everyday people to make a profound difference in the lives of others.

Ordinary Person, Extraordinary Deed

Responding to the Call

On July 24th, Andy Vidovich was driving along the highway when he witnessed a terrifying sight – a vehicle engulfed in flames. Without hesitation, Vidovich pulled over and rushed to the scene, joining another motorist in a desperate attempt to save the trapped individual. Using a fire extinguisher, Vidovich quickly doused the flames, but the front of the car was severely damaged, making it impossible to extract the victim.

Protecting the Victim

Recognizing the immediate danger, Vidovich acted quickly to shield the victim from the harsh chemicals of the fire extinguisher. He grabbed his own shirt and placed it over the victim's face, providing a barrier to protect him from further harm. Despite the chaos and urgency of the situation, Vidovich remained calm and focused, determined to do everything in his power to ensure the victim's safety.

Departing the Scene

With the flames extinguished and the victim stabilized, Vidovich and the other Good Samaritan waited until emergency responders arrived on the scene. Once the authorities had the situation under control, the two men departed, their identities unknown to the victim's family.

Unmasking the Hero

It was only weeks later, while doing her father-in-law's laundry, that Michelle Lewis discovered a clue to the identity of the mysterious rescuer. She found a work shirt with the name "Andy" stitched onto the name patch, and immediately knew it did not belong to her father-in-law. Determined to find the owner of the shirt, Lewis turned to social media, hoping to uncover the story behind this unexpected act of heroism.

Reuniting and Rewarding

Through her social media efforts, Lewis was able to trace the shirt back to USA Compression and identify Andy Vidovich as the man who had saved her father-in-law's life. KLST, a local news station, joined Lewis in her quest to find and recognize Vidovich, presenting him with a $300 reward through their "Pay it Forward" campaign, sponsored by Carpet Tech.

Paying it Forward

When presented with the reward, Vidovich's response was both humble and inspiring. Rather than keeping the money for himself, he chose to donate the entire $300 to help cover the medical expenses of Lewis' father-in-law, the very person he had risked his own life to save. Vidovich's selfless act of paying it forward once again demonstrated the true character of this unsung hero, whose actions have left a lasting impact on the lives of those he encountered.