May 29, 2003

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to the Fire Chief
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2411, page: 675-2137

Motorist to be Recognized for Intervention

As one motorist after another passed around what most thought was a stalled vehicle, Rolanda Knight sensed that something wasn’t quite right . . .

Knight said that when she was able to pull alongside the stopped car at the intersection of Bert Kouns and Dean Road, she noticed that the driver was not moving and appeared to be unconscious. In the middle of rush-hour traffic, Knight abandoned her own car to check on the motorist and then called 911.

After receiving instruction from the 911 Communications Officer, Knight opening the car door, checked the driver for breathing and a pulse. By this time two other motorists had gotten out of their vehicles to assist Knight. "Basically, they had to because with her car tying up one lane and mine in another . . . we had traffic pretty much stopped, said Knight." Inside the vehicle, Knight said the car was still in drive and that fortunately the driver’s foot was on the brake. She also noticed a child’s picture on the dashboard. The baseball uniform that adorned a young boy’s image was something that she recognized. She made the connection that their children played in the same baseball league and was able to provide a last name.

The driver was treated and transported for a possible seizure by paramedic to Willis Knighton South for further evaluation. Knight followed up by visiting the driver at the hospital following the event. "I wanted to make sure that she was alright," said Knight.

Friday, May 30, 2003, Shreveport Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran will recognize the unselfish actions of Knight by presenting her with the "Civilian Letter of Commendation" at the main office of Bank One, 400 Texas Avenue, in a 1:00 p.m. ceremony. Knight is the Bank One manager at the organization’s Southern Hills branch.

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