LOCAL : San Fernando Man Honored as Hero

A San Fernando truck driver who dashed into a burning van and pulled its unconscious driver to safety after an accident on the Ventura Freeway was honored today by the prestigious Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.

Jackson E. Stallcup, 36, will receive $2,500 cash and a medal from the Pittsburgh-based commission that since 1904 has recognized 7,367 people who risked their own lives to save others.

According to commission investigators and the California Highway Patrol, Stallcup saved the life of Wilson Ross, 54, of Los Angeles on Oct. 6 after an accident on the Ventura Freeway in Glendale. Ross’ bread delivery van was struck from behind by a pickup truck and went out of control, overturning and catching on fire, CHP Officer Linda Powell said. Ross was knocked unconscious and was left hanging upside down, secured by a seat belt.

Stallcup saw the 3 p.m. accident and ran to Ross’ aid. “He entered the burning truck through the shattered windshield and attempted to cut Ross out of the seat belt but then located the buckle and released him,” Powell said. “He removed him through the windshield just moments before the truck was engulfed in flames.”