Heroic Duo’s Split-Second Rescue from Fiery Crash Defies All Odds
There are moments in sports—and life—that remind us why character matters just as much as skill on the field. Larry Pickett Jr., a sophomore safety for Army’s football team, exemplified that recently in a gut-check situation that transcended game day. Late one Saturday night, off a quiet stretch of Route 9W in Fort Montgomery, Larry and his dad stumbled onto a dangerous wreck: a car crashed against a utility pole, sparking a hazardous scene with live wires threatening to ignite everything. Without hesitation, these two sprang into action, pulling the trapped driver from harm’s way just in the nick of time—before flames engulfed the vehicle. It’s the kind of bravery that turns heads and earns the respect not just of teammates, but of an entire community. Larry credits his upbringing and West Point’s relentless ethos for making that life-saving response instinctive—a powerful blend of duty, honor, and heart that fuels him both on the gridiron and beyond. This story, one of quick thinking and quiet heroism, is just the start of what’s ahead for this remarkable cadet-athlete.
Larry Pickett Jr. says his West Point cadet training makes it second nature to help those in need, even in a moment’s notice.
So it’s no wonder Pickett and his father, Larry Sr., were quick to take action when coming upon a serious car accident on Route 9W in Fort Montgomery late Saturday night. A car had veered off the road, struck a utility pole and trapped the male driver inside, with sparks jumping from downed power lines.
“Once we saw the car off to the side of the road, we knew that we had to react because eventually, because of those power lines, that the car was going to catch on fire,’’ the junior Pickett said.
So dad and son raced to the car. The elder Pickett pulled open the car and the pair pulled the injured driver out and carried him across the road. Moments later, the car was fully engulfed, and the Fort Montgomery fire department was soon on hand to put out the blaze.
“It all happened very fast,’’ said Pickett, a sophomore defensive back for the Army football team. “We saw … there was somebody who was in need of help and we just reacted because it was only a matter of time. … Things could have been much worse.’’
“Thank you Jesus that this man will live to see another day!’’ the elder Pickett wrote on Facebook. “I am so grateful for my son LJ for saving his life!”
Larry Jr. thanked his parents for raising him in this manner, and credits his father with much of the values he has learned. He said West Point and the Army football brotherhood has only strengthened those values.
Army lost its season opener to Tarleton State on Friday night at West Point. Following an off day on Saturday, the team gathered in Nowak Auditorium for its usual back-to-work meeting. Coach Jeff Monken immediately brought up the heroic act of Pickett, with much acclaim from his teammates, though many had already received word by text and social media.
“Most people would run from trouble and run from danger or be a by-stander,’’ Monken said on Tuesday, “but not Larry Pickett. He rushed right in and saved the guy’s life, and of course, all the guys clapped and cheered.’’
Pickett realizes the gravity of what he and his father did but he has remained humble throughout the flurry of attention across the news media and social media. Even the Secretary of the Army, Daniel Driscoll, posted to social media, saying Pickett “embodies the highest values of the Army and West Point: duty, honor, country.
“He showed that he can stand ready to act under pressure, whether on the football field, in his community, or in the future with the Soldiers under his command. We are proud – and deeply grateful – for his heroism.’’
“Larry’s an awesome guy,’’ said junior quarterback Cael Hellums. “For him to do that, that’s some historical big deal. … It’s something that shouldn’t go unnoticed, and it was cool to see the national attention because he deserves that.
“It’s a big deal – he saved somebody’s life,’’ Hellums added.
Army plays at Kansas State on Saturday, Sept. 6.
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillan
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