State Farm Safety Patrol driver Scott Jackson spotted the boy riding his bicycle on I-77 South at Exit 16 headed toward the ramp down to I-85 north near Charlotte. The safety patrol is a free service that provides roadway assistance to stranded motorists and helps clear roadways and conducts temporary traffic control when needed.
Jackson was driving in the opposite direction and called the siting into the Metrolina Traffic Management Center (TMC). The center used its camera system to find the boy and dispatch another driver to where he was located.
Ron Pharr drove to the location and reported seeing a near miss between the boy and a tractor trailer. Pharr then was able to stop the boy with the assistance of a motorist. The TMC then called in emergency responders who eventually returned him to his guardians, NCDOT reports.
“I am very proud to be associated with the State Farm Safety Service Patrol,” says Tim Kirk, NCDOT’s regional ITS engineer. “These guys put their lives on the line every day, and they continue to do it because they care for the citizens of this state. There is a sense of pride that is shared between them and other responders knowing that this child and others will be able to celebrate Christmas together.”
