Fort Rucker IT Specialists Rescue Driver from Water

On August 15th, two Army IT specialists and a contractor found themselves in the right place at the right time, ultimately saving a life in their community.

David E. Gardner II, John J. Perez, and program manager Michael V. Henderson made a spontaneous decision to drive to a local business for lunch instead of sticking to their usual post dining routine.

After lunch, they headed back along Highway 84 East. However, as they neared Dareville, a sudden downpour hit. Visibility was low, and the rain made it difficult to see the road ahead.

Suddenly, as they approached a bridge near Tank Hill Road, they observed the vehicle in front of them veer into the water. It lost control and quickly disappeared into the depths.

“It was as if it hit a wall of water or something. We saw the splash and then it just went left, vanishing from view,” Gardner recalled. “It was surreal. We just thought, we need to get help.”

Perez estimated they were about 100 yards behind the vehicle at that moment.

Without missing a beat, Henderson instructed, “Siri, call 911,” while Gardner maneuvered the vehicle around to return to the accident site.

As they made their way down a rocky incline in the pouring rain, they discovered the car about 80 yards from the road, roughly 20-25 feet below the bridge, overturning in the swift current. Another passerby was already trying to help.

“The vehicle was completely flipped, facing the wrong way,” Gardner noted.

After assessing the situation, they realized the driver was trapped inside, and his dog was on the floor of the car. Their immediate thought was to get the car out of the water and help the driver.

They worked their way into the water, navigating slippery rocks and sandy banks, bracing themselves against the current, which was approximately 3-4 feet deep. For Gardner, the water was chest-high as he positioned himself to assist in lifting the vehicle.

“We got to the car and shouted, ‘On the count of three, everyone push!'” Gardner recounted. “We coordinated and managed to flip the car back onto its wheels.”

Once they managed to open the door, they communicated with the driver, who asked them to save his dog first. They helped ensure the dog was safe before turning their attention back to the driver, who was in pain and wanted his keys from the car.

“The car was still running,” Gardner said as he shifted it into park and retrieved the keys.

By that time, emergency responders had arrived and took over the scene. The trio from Fort Rucker provided video footage of the incident from a dash cam as they made their way back to work, looking a bit worse for wear in their business attire.

Shortly after, Henderson received a call from his mother, who had driven past the incident.

She exclaimed, “You won’t believe it! There’s police everywhere by that bridge; someone went into the river.” Henderson reassured her that they were the ones who had just helped.

Dave Southerland, Chief of Technology and Support Division, commended their quick actions, expressing pride in their selfless bravery. “It’s a joy to work alongside such dedicated individuals,” he said.

Gardner remarked how quickly events unfolded that day, emphasizing how fortunate they were to be there when the driver needed help.

Reflecting back, they realized it was all somewhat serendipitous. Typically, they would dine at the post, but Gardner’s wife had convinced him to try a different restaurant for lunch. A chance meeting with Henderson and Perez in the parking lot turned their outing into an unexpected rescue mission.

“We usually take Rucker Boulevard back, but this time we opted for 84 East to grab a coffee,” Henderson said. “Well, after that, I don’t think I needed coffee anymore.”

Thinking back, they felt kind of astounded at how their day unfolded.

“We genuinely believe we were meant to be there,” Gardner stated. “We had a purpose.”

“There was no doubt we were there to help,” added Henderson. “It felt like it was meant to be.”

Henderson was particularly moved by how strangers can unite for a common cause. “A woman we didn’t know was there helping us, and we didn’t even talk. We all shared the same goal—saving that man,” he realized.

Perez pointed out that it took all four of them working together to achieve what they did. “Michael and the woman arrived first and were trying, but we needed everyone to flip the car over,” he noted.

Ultimately, they were grateful to have been able to assist. The gentleman was doing fine days later. “At least we got to go home knowing we helped someone,” Perez said.

Perez also shared a personal story about having faced a dangerous water situation as a teen when his seatbelt broke during an accident.

All three men urged caution for others when driving near flood-prone areas, especially in rainy conditions, emphasizing how quickly life can change.

“Just be careful and drive safely,” Gardner advised. “You really never know what could happen.”