SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– As Darryn Buckler drove down US-41 Tuesday morning just past Johnson Street, he wasn’t sure what exactly was off the road ahead of him.

It wasn’t until he got closer he realized the severity of the situation.

“I saw a fire up ahead in a ditch, and as I got closer, I actually drove past it and realized it was a car,” he said.

Buckler sprung into action– helping get the driver to safety before the flames spread. He said the driver was trying to exit the vehicle, but was having trouble due to the severity of his injuries. 

“His lower portion of his body was on the ground, and he was kind of leaning against the seat, the front driver seat,” he said. “With nobody being around, I pulled over and ran back there, saw him laying on the ground down next to it, just tried to get him away from the car.”

Buckler passed by before Sullivan City fire crews arrived on the scene and were able to put the fire out. Fire Chief Rob Robertson said it was good fortune Buckler arrived when he did. 

“It was good he was right there at the right time to be able to get there and pull him out before things got worse than what it did,” he said.

In the days since the accident, Buckler said the driver and his family have reached out to him to express their gratitude for his actions..

“I’m just happy to hear that he’s recovering from everything. It’s going to be a long road for him, but he’s going to recover,” he said.

In the future, he hopes to get the chance to meet him again.

“I’m going to keep in contact with him,” Buckler said. “When he gets home and is feeling better, I’d like to just meet him and see how he’s doing.”