Curtis Blanton and his 17-year-old son, Pete, were heroes in North Carolina after they sprang into action to rescue a deputy and his K-9 from a burning patrol car following a high-speed chase.
The dramatic events unfolded Wednesday night in Cleveland County as Deputy Robert Taylor pursued four armed car thieves, as reported by The New York Post.
Earlier that day, Curtis had just said a final goodbye to his wife, who lost a 20-year battle with cancer.
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Seeking solace, he and Pete tuned into a police scanner at home, only to hear about Taylor’s harrowing crash.
The deputy’s vehicle had slammed into a tree and burst into flames during the intense pursuit.
Without hesitation, the Blantons raced to the scene. “They lay their lives on the line for us every day,” Curtis said, explaining why he and Pete didn’t think twice.
“We weren’t worried about the repercussions if the car blew up or whatever happened. We just wanted him safe.” The two managed to pull both Taylor and his K-9 partner, Thanos, from the fiery wreckage.
Father and son rescue deputy, dog from burning car: ‘We just wanted him safe’ https://t.co/pbmbXeaB2V
— WSMV 4 Nashville (@WSMV) January 13, 2025
The Blantons’ quick response undoubtedly saved Taylor and Thanos, as the charred remains of the patrol car left no doubt about the intensity of the blaze.
“At the end of the day, that man’s alive, and that means more than anything—him and his partner,” Curtis remarked.
Deputy Taylor sustained significant injuries and underwent surgery the following day. According to Capt. Justin Etters of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor is now in stable condition but faces a long recovery ahead.
“A lot of love and respect for them, and we really appreciate what they did,” Etters said, referring to the Blantons.
In the aftermath of the crash, law enforcement successfully apprehended all four suspects involved, including a juvenile.
Authorities confirmed the group had stolen a car in Gastonia, roughly 30 miles east of Cleveland County.
The sheriff’s office plans to formally honor the Blanton family for their extraordinary bravery. In a world where courage often takes a backseat, the father-son duo stood as a shining example of selflessness. As Curtis humbly put it, “We was just out being father and son and ended up being in the right place at the right time.”
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