By Cindy Peterson
Heroes Who Saved Girl From a Fiery Crash Honored in Sumter County
A group of brave bystanders was honored at the Wildwood Police Department for their heroic efforts in saving 16-year-old Bryleigh Law from a burning vehicle following a devastating crash. The rescuers, who put their own lives at risk, were formally recognized for their quick and selfless actions that prevented an even greater tragedy.
“Bryleigh actually had a watch Apple Watch on with a cross on it,” Bryleigh’s grandmother, Shellie Boyd, says. “When she was pulled from the wreckage her entire watch was melted and destroyed but the cross remained. I said that’s your sign.”
The accident occurred on January 17 when an SUV failed to stop at an intersection, causing a collision that forced a Nissan Altima into the path of oncoming traffic. The resulting crash was fatal for her father, Joel Law, a well-known resident of Oxford, who was driving with his daughter at the time. The impact left their truck severely damaged and leaking fuel, igniting a fire with both passengers still trapped inside.
Several bystanders, witnessing the severity of the crash, immediately rushed to help. Among them was Travis Kish, Kathy Alexander and Mark Mellone, who worked together to remove both Joel and Bryleigh from the burning vehicle before emergency responders arrived. Their quick and selfless actions prevented an even greater tragedy, as the fire rapidly consumed the truck moments after Bryleigh was pulled to safety.
“When I got on the scene, I tried my best to direct everything before the cops got there,” Travis says. “All I know is, if I didn’t step in, two people would have burned alive, and I wouldn’t have been able to live with that guilt.”
“I arrived 30 seconds after the accident and I saw it just happened and fire extinguisher helped put out the fire,” Mark says. “I helped move Bryleigh and helped anyway I could.”
Bryleigh was hospitalized for her injuries but has since returned home to continue her recovery. Though she faces a long road ahead, she is alive today because of the bravery of those who stepped in to help.
“The road to recovery is taking its time, but I’m back doing what I love—riding my horse Nugget,” Bryleigh says. “Nothing feels better than being back on a horse after everything that happened.”
Photos by Nicole Hamel and Kyle Koppola
Originally from the small town of Berryville, Arkansas, Cindy has become a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography, and video editing. She has a B.S. in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine's Sports Hub Podcast and the Healthy Living Podcast. She also produces for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy loves traveling the National Parks with her husband , Ryan, and son, David, photographing wildlife.
