KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather Sports19 year old firefighter saves lives during pile up

19 year old firefighter saves lives during pile up

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BEN WHELLER (KYTX) -- Around 6:10 p.m. 19-year-old Danielle Baldauf was heading towards Tyler from Canton on 64. A minivan (driven by a man with two women passengers) was going southbound on 314 when it crossed 64. Baldauf, who was traveling 60 mph, hit the minivan near the van's back tire, which sent the van airborne on top of a white car (carrying a woman and her children). The van's engine caught fire.

Two women in the van were able to get out, but the driver was still stuck inside.

Baldauf grabbed a mallet out of her toolbox and started breaking the windshield to help get the driver out of the van. She was able to pull him out and help the women passengers out of the car.

There were two passengers across the street who grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the fire and help the passengers out of their cars. By that time medical crews arrived on the scene.

Everyone made it out of the accident OK.

Baldauf said her adrenaline took over at the time of the accident. And her experience as a Noonday fire department helped everyone that day. She said she runs calls with the fire department when she is in town.