Instructor helps save trucker's life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When a concrete truck careened across multiple lanes of traffic on the highway, Tech. Sgt. Robert Legg, a 363rd Training Squadron nuclear weapons instructor, used his military training to jump into action.

In June, Legg was traveling back from his hometown of Big Springs, Texas, with his 6-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, when he witnessed a massive concrete truck roll onto its side due to loss of control. As soon as the truck rolled over, Legg got out of his car and called 911. After coordinating with dispatch, he described what he saw as a "mixture of fluids, fuels and water". He also broke out the truck window and began to treat the driver for shock along with two other bystanders, one of whom identified themselves as a pre-med student from Texas A&M. As Legg cleared away objects in the truck that posed a possible hazard, he stayed until emergency responder's arrived.

"I really got to thinking, this is the end," said 25-year-old James Mahan Jr., the driver who was in the accident.

Mahan, who currently resides in Haskell, Texas with his wife and one-year-old daughter, feels gratitude when he thinks back to that day.

"It made me feel grateful and very humbled," he said. "I had no way of calling anybody."

Mahan, a religious man who recounts that day with a sense of somberness, finds it hard to express how he felt during that particular moment.

"I was really scared; it was in God's hands," he said. "You can't put that into words."

Legg simply thought it was the right thing to do.

"He needed help," Legg said. "If I was in that situation I'd have hoped somebody would've helped me."

On July 24 Legg was selected as the 82nd Training Wing "Commander's Wingman of Choice" by Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini, 82nd TRW commander. The program is the commander's way of acknowledging Airmen for a job well done in accordance with the Air Force core values. The criteria for consideration included outstanding duty performance, community involvement and exemplary leadership.

Legg was surprised to see that he was selected for such an award.

"I didn't expect it," he said. "I just felt obligated to help."

While Mahan, who sustained non life-threatening injuries, didn't get the chance to thank Legg for the help he received, he wanted to make sure Legg knew how much he was valued.  

"I appreciate what you do for your country," Mahan commented. "Thanks for stopping to help, I'm grateful for it."

Legg views his help as something that he would do regardless of the situation.

"If I was there 100 times, I'd do it every time," he said.