Courtesy Photo 
Isaiah Washington (center) thanks Payne Springs Fire Rescue crew for cutting him out of a crushed vehicle and saving his life.

CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Life changed for two young men the night of April 20.  They had just turned out of Cherokee Shores onto State Highway 198 when they were hit from behind. The vehicle that hit them was a Ford F–250 reported to be going at a high speed, the impact caused their small vehicle to go 200 feet and down in a ditch before stopping. Isaiah Washington does not remember the events that took place after the car he was driving was hit, but he does remember who made the incredible lifesaving rescue.
Payne Springs Fire Rescue told The Monitor they did all they could to save the lives of the two young men.  Both were encapsulated in the vehicle with no way of getting out other than with the use of hydraulic rescue tools and skilled rescue workers.  Washington’s foot was trapped between the car seat and the floor of the car making it near impossible to get the unconscious driver out of the crushed car. Fire and rescue personnel had to spread the floor of the car from the seat to get his foot free.  Both boys were transported to two different hospitals with traumatic brain injuries.  Survival was uncertain.
Fast forward three months, to July 11 when Washington walked into the Payne Springs Fire Station.  Chief Adam Robinson said, “It was awesome seeing him and how well he was doing.” Robinson also said that it was the team effort of the Payne Springs police, Log Cabin police, Gun Barrel City Fire and Rescue and UT Health that made the survival rate so high for these two young men. Washington went to meet and thank his rescuers for jumping into action to save his and his friend’s life. Washingtons friend, who was the passenger, is still recuperating at home.