Army Football Player And His Dad Save Driver Moments Before Car Explodes

September 4, 2025

What began as a simple family dinner in New York City turned into a life-or-death rescue for Army West Point football player Larry Pickett Jr. and his father.

larry pickett rescue
Credit: Larry Pickett on Facebook

On their way back to campus, the Picketts came across a terrifying crash on Route 9W in Fort Montgomery, just a few miles from West Point. A white sedan had slammed into a utility pole, smoke was rising, and live wires were sparking around the wreck. Inside, the driver was trapped.

Without hesitation, Larry Jr. and his father rushed toward the danger.

“We knew that car was about to catch on fire and whoever was in there was going to burn up, and we couldn’t just watch and let that happen,” Pickett Jr. told The Athletic.

Video captured by his sister shows the two pulling the man from the vehicle, with shouts of “Come on! Get him out!” echoing in the background.

Just moments later, the car burst into flames.

“There was no discussion. My son just jumped right into action,” Larry Sr. said. “His military training kicked in, and we pulled him out. We stayed with him until the police and fire department arrived.”

The U.S. Military Academy, Army Athletics, and even Army Secretary Dan Driscoll praised the cadet’s bravery.

“He embodies the highest values of the Army and West Point: duty, honor, country,” Driscoll wrote.

We're proud of the heroic actions taken Saturday night by Cadet Larry Pickett Jr, a second-year cadet & @ArmyWP_Football player, & his father who are seen pulling a driver to safety in a video online taken by the family. Their actions are the embodiment of the @USArmy Values. pic.twitter.com/dlccTMwonT
— U.S. Military Academy at West Point (@WestPoint_USMA) September 1, 2025