* This is so great…

The IDOT worker’s comments start at about 1:15.

…Adding… Sun-Times…

Steve Newcomb thought he had seen every kind of crash during his years working as an overnight minuteman tow truck driver for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

That was the case until early Friday when, for the first time, he played the role of a first responder and pulled two women from a burning car on the Kennedy Expressway. […]

Newcomb has been working for the Illinois Department of Transportation for 22 years, most of them doing maintenance, plowing and grass cutting, he said. He’s been doing minuteman patrols for five years.

“I’ve seen every kind of crash,” he said. “But I’ve never been on scene where there was a fire where I could pull someone out.”

…Adding… Teamsters press release…

“My job is to help keep people safe on our roadways, and that’s why I knew I had to do something to help those motorists this morning,” said Local 700 member Steve Newcomb. “I am so relieved I was there to take action to get those women to safety. Keeping people safe is what we do at Local 700, and I am just glad I was able to do my part.”

“Steve Newcomb is a hero, full stop,” said Local 700 President Ramon Williams. “Every day, the dedicated public servants of Local 700 work to keep our communities safe. This morning, Steve went above and beyond, and for that we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Thank you to Steve and all of the first responder union members who help keep us safe on the roadways!”

Local 700 encourages all motorists to stay safe on Chicagoland roadways and to always slow down and use caution around IDOT workers.