Most people would think twice about approaching a vehicle on fire, let alone attempting to open its doors. However, a brave 21-year-old Wisconsin man did the opposite, and that split-second decision ultimately saved a stranger’s life.
On the Fourth of July, Kieran McKinney was heading home through La Crosse when he spotted a truck engulfed in flames near 10th and Taylor streets. Local news reports said that a crowd had already gathered at the scene when someone yelled that a man was still trapped inside the vehicle.
McKinney ran toward the burning truck and pulled a non-responsive 26-year-old Cody Kruger from the wreckage. He then helped extinguish the flames on his clothes and called 911 before the vehicle exploded moments later.
Kieran’s willingness to consider a stranger’s well-being rather than the risks involved in helping has warmed people’s hearts and reminded many of our collective humanity. Witnesses, residents, and several Facebook users under the original post have since hailed him as a hero.
A Split-Second Decision on a Busy Holiday
McKinney told reporters that he was driving back to his home in the late afternoon on July 4 when he noticed the burning truck. Coincidentally, the burning truck was only meters away from Kieran’s previous residence, where he had to vacate and move across the street after a fire had destroyed his room.
McKinney says that he initially did not know whether the trapped man was conscious or even alive when he opened the door and dragged him out by his legs. Thankfully, after pulling him onto the grass, he began to see signs of movement and breathing, which gave him hope that the rescue had worked.
Many people have passed by roadside emergencies like this one and wondered what they would do if every second mattered. In this heroic case, a young driver chose to stop, and the headlines on such a busy holiday could have been very different if he had not.
The Driver Was Later Airlifted for Treatment
According to Kieran’s witness account of the fire incident, Cody suffered significant burns and smoke-related injuries from his head to his knees. After the rescue, first responders transported Kruger from the wreckage scene and later airlifted him to a burn unit in Madison for specialized care.
McKinney’s family has since remained in contact with Kruger’s relatives as he continues treatment. His mother, Jennifer, told reporters they initially feared he would not survive but were encouraged when he made it to the hospital and continued recovering through the first critical days.
The Story Is Getting Shared Far Beyond Wisconsin
People travel constantly, especially during holiday weekends, and cases of disabled vehicles, smoke, or crashes on the roadside are more likely than usual. Jennifer McKinney’s post has gone viral, and the details shared for Cody’s GoFundMe have sparked donations well beyond Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Horse Puller’s Association has also weighed in to support its member, Cody Krueger, who they identified as a fourth-generation horse puller with strong ties in the horse community.
Why Vehicle Fires Should Create Such Urgency
Statistically, automotive fires are relatively uncommon compared with other roadway incidents, but they can escalate rather quickly. Heat, fuel, plastics, and electrical components can create dangerous conditions in a matter of minutes, which is why the U.S. Fire Administration emphasizes getting occupants out of a burning vehicle as quickly as possible.
Witnesses said McKinney pulled Kruger free to nearby grass and extinguished flames that had spread to him before the truck exploded. Besides severe burns, updates from the McKinney family revealed Cody Kruger suffered lung damage from smoke and chemical inhalation.
Unfortunately, the exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and local fire and police departments had not issued a final determination at the time of reporting.
For drivers, the story is also a reminder that roadside emergencies often become community events before first responders arrive. Bystanders may be the first people in a position to call 911, direct traffic, or assist occupants while emergency crews are en route.