Hart Co. Teen Honored For Saving Life

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A Hart County teen is honored for his heroic efforts that saved the lives of a Hartwell couple from their burning vehicle.

Recently, 18-year old Ty’rondick Thomas of Hartwell was honored by Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland and the Hart County Sheriff’s Office with a plaque for his bravery.

According to Cleveland, the wreck happened about 3:30 a.m. on July 28 when a car driven by 27-year-old Mikal McLane of Hartwell overturned on Georgia Highway 51.

Cleveland said the vehicle was carrying McLane and 26-year old Alicia Dickerson of Hartwell, who was seven months pregnant, along with a 7-year old little girl.

McLane lost control of the vehicle and it flipped several times before landing upside down near Thomas’ home.

Thomas said he was watching TV with his younger sister that night when suddenly the lights went out.

“I heard some flipping and I went outside and looked and saw the bottom of the car was sparking,” Ty recalled. “I heard a little girl screaming, ‘help me.’ So, I told my parents to call the police and I ran out and helped them.”

Thomas’ mom, DeDe, said she was already asleep when Ty came in and asked to use his dad’s cell phone.

“He popped the light on and I said, ‘Ty what are you doing?’ And he said, ‘Daddy can I borrow your cell phone?’ I said, ‘Please go to bed.’ But he came back in and said, ‘Something doesn’t sound right.’ So we looked out the door and realized there was an accident. So we said, ‘You’re right, go help him.’ And he just took off,” DeDe Thomas explained.

Ty said when he got to the accident scene, the car was starting to burn, but the little girl was already out and safe.

“The man was laying in the back seat and the bottom of the car was on fire and the woman was hanging halfway out of the car. So, I went in and pulled her out first and then I pulled him out. The little girl had already gotten out and was standing there,” he explained.

All three victims were taken to AnMed Medical Center in Anderson with serious injuries.

Dickerson’s unborn baby was delivered by emergency C-section, but later died.

The 7-year old girl was rushed from AnMed to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment of her injuries but has since been released.

Both McLane and Dickerson remain hospitalized.

In presenting the certificate of appreciation Tuesday, Sheriff Cleveland said young people with Ty’s character and bravery are rare.

“It’s refreshing to see a young person step up and save three lives like this young person did,” Cleveland said. “The way I understand it he’s just a really good young man. So, it’s fitting that we recognize him this day.”

Ty Thomas’ father, C-J Thomas, said he is very proud of his son.

“We’re proud of him,” CJ said. “It’s a compliment to him that his instinct was to go out and help. He just jumped up and ran down there with no problem.”

Meanwhile, Georgia State Patrol Hartwell Post Commander Sgt Al Whitworth said McLane faces multiple charges including Vehicular homicide first degree, endangering a child under 14 while DUI, reckless driving, failure to restrain a child under the age of 8, suspended registration, failure to maintain lane, driving too fast for conditions, and no seatbelt.