That fiery multi-car and truck crash outside of Denver a few days made headlines across the country. But there’s a hero from the story that not many people heard about.
A man who was panhandling before the fatal crash and fire in Lakewood is being recognized as a hero for rescuing people from the wreckage.
Darin Barton was holding a sign asking drivers for help at the Denver West exit of Interstate 70 when he heard the crash.
He said a semitrailer crashed into cars and the cab of the truck rolled over.
Barton said, “As soon as it rolled over, it just caught on fire. And I just dropped my sign, and took off running,”
As Barton ran down the embankment toward the freeway, people escaping the flames were heading the opposite direction.
He said, “As soon as I saw flames, I headed under the bridge, grabbed three or four people out of a couple cars,”
He said he was in good company; there were other good Samaritans working to rescue people.
But it turns out this may not be the first time Barton has saved people from a crash.
Valerie Blease told Fox 3 in Denver that Barton also helped her get to safety when she was injured in an accident in the same area two years ago.
Blease said he seemed to come out of nowhere. She says she recognized the man now dubbed a “homeless hero” and said, “I wasn’t surprised at all.”
Since news of Barton’s heroics became public several people donated thousands of dollars to help him.