A Dawson County EMT and two others were honored by the Forsyth County Sheriffs department in a special ceremony held Nov. 20 for saving a mans life.

EMT Todd Hollaway and citizens Gary McBryar, a Loganville construction worker, and Terry Johnson are credited with rescuing a handicapped man from his burning van after a collision Sept. 9 on Ga. 400.

Investigators said the van collided with a tractor-trailer. Both vehicles were traveling south on 400, and a red car swerved in front of the van, T-boned it, and both went off the road and into a grassy area. The driver of the red car, Maria Josefa Martinez, 60, was killed.

The handicapped man had been previously paralyzed from the chest down and could not exit the van on his own, authorities said earlier.

All three entered a burning van to save a life, Forsyth County Sheriffs Deputy Doug Rainwater said. You dont see that very often anymore. Sheriff (Duane) Piper was so impressed. A man was trapped and couldnt get out on his own, flames were showing, and they got him out. They administered first aid to the lady that died. That was remarkable.

Hollaway has been an EMT with Dawson County Emergency Services for 10 years.

What he did that day is a good reflection of what he does every day, Dawson County Emergency Services Chief Lanier Swafford said. I wasnt shocked when I heard what he did. Thats just him. Hes humble. Hes dedicated. Im proud hes a part of our department.

Hollaway gives credit to the Dawson County Emergency Services training department.

I was just running on adrenaline, he said. It was one of those things that came natural.... Its what we do in emergency services. It all clicked. Were trained to handle this.

The three individuals were presented with black and gold plaques from the Sheriffs Department.