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West Point Cadet Larry Pickett Jr. Pulls Driver From Crash Moments Before Car Erupts in Flames

Family video of the Fort Montgomery rescue drew public praise from West Point.

Overview

  • The early Sunday incident occurred on Route 9W near West Point after a car struck a utility pole, bringing down sparking power lines.
  • Video recorded by Lauren Pickett shows Larry Pickett Jr. and his father carrying the driver away seconds before the vehicle became fully engulfed, a sequence the Fort Montgomery Fire Department later confirmed.
  • The driver appeared conscious but disoriented in the footage, and authorities have not released formal details of his condition as the crash remains under investigation.
  • West Point leaders, including the athletic director and head coach Jeff Monken, publicly commended the actions as reflecting Army values and cadet training.
  • Pickett, a sophomore safety who made his college debut hours earlier, said in a Tuesday TV interview that he reacted immediately upon seeing the downed lines and trapped driver.