Man commended for saving life in Lynnwood

Published 6:02 am Tuesday, February 26, 2008

LYNNWOOD — When Gary Herald diverted off the freeway into Lynnwood to get gas on his way to work early July 23, he didn’t realize how important that change in direction would be.

Herald, 65, of Everett, was driving west on Alderwood Mall Boulevard looking to get back on the freeway when the person driving the car in front of him started veering into oncoming traffic and bouncing off the concrete abutment.

“I drove to the side of the car and noticed the woman driving was slumped over,” Herald said.

Knowing that there was a busy intersection at the other end of the bridge, 200th Street SW. and 44th Avenue W., he thought quickly about what he should do.

“The only thing I could think of doing was to put my car in front of hers to get it to stop,” he said, and that’s what he did.

Herald sped up to pass her and then put his car in front of hers and slowly and carefully brought both vehicles to a stop.

He then called 911 and waited for public safety personnel with a couple who also ended up stopping to try to assist.

“We did our best,” Herald said.

The 54-year-old woman, from the Lynnwood area, whose name isn’t being disclosed, apparently had a heart attack while driving and was unconscious at the wheel, police officials said.

Because of his quick and selfless act, Lynnwood Police officials along with Mayor Mike McKinnon and the City Council honored Herald at their Sept. 8 City Council meeting with a commendation award.

Lynnwood Police Chief Steve Jensen said in the past nine years, the department has only given out three commendation awards.

“They are saved for those who have done something exemplary that really goes the extra mile,” Jensen said.

He added, while reporting information about a crime is important, this award is saved for those who really place themselves at risk for others.

“This is really something no one can predict or prevent,” he said.

Lynnwood Police Sgt. Jon Grabinski thanked Herald for his brave act of putting himself in peril to help the woman, let alone many others who could have been harmed if the car would have made it to the busy intersection.

“There were plenty of cars that went by that didn’t stop and you chose to do something, thank you,” Grabinski said to a humble Herald at the City Council meeting.

Before the City Council meeting Sept. 8, Herald was under the impression that the woman had died from the heart attack. But at the meeting he was pleased to find out that she hadn’t died that day and had been released from the hospital on Aug. 11.

Finding out about an update on the woman’s condition, Herald said, “that news really brightened my night. This is really quite an honor and I will take it with me for the rest of my life.”