86R32918 BK-D

By: Leach H.R. No. 1643

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, PJ Putnam, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Dallas-based corporate attorney, bravely risked his own safety to render assistance to the victim of a major truck accident on Interstate 35 on April 24, 2019; and

WHEREAS, At approximately 11 a.m., Mr. Putnam was traveling through Salado during a heavy rainstorm, when a sudden wind shear caused two 18-wheelers on the highway to collide; one of the trucks jackknifed into a guard rail while the other careened through three lanes of traffic, before rolling over and sliding to a stop at the edge of the freeway; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Putnam, who narrowly managed to avoid being in the path of the crashing semis, exited his vehicle and quickly ensured that the driver of the jackknifed truck was not seriously injured; he then approached the overturned vehicle, where he found the second motorist in shock and unable to free himself from the cab; with the help of a bystander, Mr. Putnam carried the driver a safe distance away from the vehicle; he then used his first aid training to treat the man for shock until emergency medical crews could take over; thanks in large part to Mr. Putnam's swift response, there were no fatalities or serious injuries; and

WHEREAS, In the immediate aftermath of a harrowing accident, PJ Putnam heroically sprang into action to rescue a fellow citizen, and his efforts on that day have distinguished him as an individual of outstanding courage and character; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby commend PJ Putnam for providing aid to the victim of a major highway accident and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Putnam as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.