(facebook.com)
WHEATLAND, Wis. — A Bristol man is being hailed as a hero after pulling a young woman from a burning vehicle in a violent head-on crash Saturday morning, a moment he says he didn’t hesitate to act—even as flames engulfed the car and the risk to his own life became undeniable.
As previously reported, the crash happened around 10:07 a.m. on May 2 in the 5700 block of State Highway 83 and left multiple people critically injured, with two patients airlifted to a Milwaukee hospital. Emergency crews arrived to find a chaotic scene, including one vehicle fully engulfed in flames and another with a patient trapped inside for nearly an hour. In interviews with Kenosha County Eye, Tom Nevala and his wife, Gale Nevala, described the moments before first responders arrived.
But before first responders arrived, 57-year-old Tom Nevala of Bristol was already inside one of those burning vehicles.
Nevala, a lifelong Kenosha-area resident and union electrician, said he didn’t witness the crash itself. He and his wife, Gale, were driving toward Burlington when they saw smoke rising from the roadway.
Within moments, he was running toward the wreckage.
“I already knew if I ever pulled up to an accident, I’m going to help and not stand around,” Nevala said.
He reached a silver vehicle in the middle of the road and climbed into the back seat, the only accessible door. Inside, a young woman—believed to be around 20 years old—was trapped, twisted and in obvious pain, pleading for help.
At first, Nevala hesitated to move her, concerned about worsening her injuries. But within minutes, the situation changed dramatically.
Flames began to spread.
“I could see the fire coming up through the front of the car,” he said.
Then the young woman told him something that forced a split-second decision.
“She said her legs were burning,” Nevala recalled.
That was it.
Nevala reached across the seats, grabbed her by the waistband and under the arm, and pulled her out through the back door, dragging her to safety just seconds before the vehicle became fully engulfed.
Moments later, the entire car was consumed by flames.
(facebook.com)
His wife, Gale Nevala, said there was no doubt what would have happened if he hadn’t acted.
“She would have had zero chance,” Gale said.
“She could not get herself out and someone had to get her out.”
Despite the obvious danger—including the possibility of an explosion—dispatch audio from the scene shows just how close that risk was to becoming reality. Deputies reported the vehicle was “on fire right in the middle of the street,” with flames intensifying and tires “popping,” and at one point warned the vehicle was “about to blow.” Even as that unfolded, Nevala made the decision to stay.
“This thing could blow up right in my face,” he said. “I don’t care.”
Nevala said he wasn’t thinking about himself in that moment—and, in fact, accepted the risk.
“I’ve lived a good life, a long life,” he said. “I’d be fine… going to my next adventure.”
(facebook.com)
The couple later learned that emergency crews took several minutes to arrive, far too long for the trapped woman to have survived without intervention. Two patients from the crash were flown to Froedtert Hospital in critical condition, while a third was taken by ambulance to Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha.
While Nevala downplays his actions, those who know him aren’t surprised.
“I would challenge you to find anyone in this city that has a bad word to say about him,” Gale said.
Nevala, who has worked as a union electrician for more than 30 years, is also well known in the local music scene as a member of the acoustic rock band Hindsight.
And this weekend, the man who risked everything to save a stranger will be back on stage.
Hindsight is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bender’s Bar and Grill, 409 E. Northwater, Silver Lake, as part of a fundraiser event—giving the public a chance to meet the man many are now calling a hero in person while supporting a local cause.
“I hope people come out,” Nevala said.
They likely will—not just for the music, but to shake the hand of a man who ran toward flames when everyone else stepped back.
33 Responses
Unbelievable brave man. Thank you. A young woman saw my 22 yr old grandson car in a ditch on Hwy E she tried to save him. He died her arms, a complete stranger. Angels among us.
So sorry 😞
This cat rocks on and off the stage.
That’s not a Silver Lake address listed for the bar. Try 409 E. Northwater Street.
Thanks!
Awesome story, great human being. Definitely not enough of these types of people.
“I’ve lived a good life, a long life,” he said. “I’d be fine… going to my next adventure.”
To be able to think that !
To be able to make that statement !
At 57, to be able to say those words !
That my Friends is a Life Well Lived !!
We should All be So Lucky !!
“We Should All Be So Lucky”
The title.
The story.
Sounds like a song is there just waiting to be written
A Good Life, A Long Life
(Verse 1)
It was a cold gray evening on a blacktop line,
Headlights flickered in the drifting time,
He was driving home with the radio low,
Didn’t know his life was ’bout to change just so.
Then a flash of fire in the roadside bend,
Twisted steel where the guardrails end,
Smoke in the air, no one else around,
Just a beating heart and a dreadful sound.
(Pre-Chorus)
He could’ve kept on driving, nobody would’ve known,
But something deep inside him said, “You’re not alone…”
(Chorus)
A good life, a long life, measured in a breath,
In a single moment standing up to death,
When the flames rise high and the night runs wild,
You find your soul in saving someone’s child.
A good life, a long life, ain’t in what you own,
It’s the hand you reach when you’re all alone,
In the firelight glow where the truth runs strong—
A good life, a long life… comes from doing right when it all goes wrong.
(Verse 2)
He ran to the wreck, heard her faint cry,
Through shattered glass and a darkened sky,
Seatbelt jammed and the engine aflame,
Every second there was calling his name.
Heat on his face, fear in his chest,
But he pushed it down, gave it his best,
Pulled her free as the sparks took flight,
Car went up in a roar of light.
(Pre-Chorus)
He laid her on the gravel, safe from the fire,
Sirens in the distance climbing higher…
(Chorus)
A good life, a long life, measured in a breath,
In a single moment standing up to death,
When the flames rise high and the night runs wild,
You find your soul in saving someone’s child.
A good life, a long life, ain’t in what you own,
It’s the hand you reach when you’re all alone,
In the firelight glow where the truth runs strong—
A good life, a long life… comes from doing right when it all goes wrong.
(Bridge)
Later on they said he was a hero that night,
But he just shook his head, said, “I did what was right,”
She took his hand with tear-filled eyes,
Said, “You gave me back my sunrise…”
(Soft Chorus)
A good life… a long life…
Sometimes it’s one choice in the dark of night…
(Final Chorus)
A good life, a long life, echoes far and wide,
In the hearts you save and the tears you dry,
When the world falls down and hope seems gone,
You become the reason it carries on.
A good life, a long life, written brave and true,
In the quiet things that we choose to do,
And the story lives in the right made strong—
A good life, a long life…
Is a single moment that lasts lifelong.
(Outro)
On a lonely road where the flames once burned,
Two lives forever turned…
What a brave young man to be so unselfish. Thinking of others before himself. The world needs more people like him. Thank you for being you snd in the right place at the right time
Good dude! Awesome!
We are fortunate to know this brave guy and his wife! Both with golden hearts. We have a hero in our midst. Timing is everything and we never know Gods plans but we stand at the ready. Tom reacted with bravery and speed and saved a young lady which impacts her and her family and friends. This is a wonderful story and it’s great to know there are Angels who guide us and who are with us as we move forward on our journeys!
I went to school with Tom and his wife. He has always been an awesome dude.
That is what a hero is. Not all the other bullshit of most cops and others (who collect a paycheck) to be a hero.
Respect to this man
COPS do it DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY, get spit on, shot at and vilified…so you can just STFU.
wow-you eat with that mouth?
Are you just a dumbass, or what?
what an idiotic response. * thumbs up are idiots too. Whatever you do for a living I assume by your response you do it for no pay.
Awesome!!! Thank you for your bravery
May God bless this man and his family for being a brave hero in saving that woman’s life! We need more men like him!
Wow! Thank God Tom was there at the right time! He is truly what the description of a hero is!! Amen 🙏
yes, a hero is one who makes the choice, thot thrown into it.
This is a hero.
It is so infrequent that a human can actually save a life minutes, seconds before a death occurs.
He must now have an aura around him and those near him and his guardian angel must be so proud, with a double wing medal ….. if you believe in angels that is!
These two, three, will be forever tied together. Try not to remember the bad in any of this, and only the good parts…
Thanks Kevin for writing a great documentary!
Hindsight’s about to have their busiest show of their career.
Nice! Way back in 2003 as Chuck & I drove to Camp Pendleton for him to deploy to Iraq we saw a vehicle rolling on the east bound side of the interstate in San Diego, it was a little after 2am. We stopped, Chuck ran and jumper the median as I called 911. Thankfully the driver wasn’t hurt and we made it to the command in time. Doing the right thing is always the best option.
Nice! Way back in 2003 as Chuck & I drove to Camp Pendleton for him to deploy to Iraq we saw a vehicle rolling on the east bound side of the interstate in San Diego, it was a little after 2am. We stopped, Chuck ran and jumper the median as I called 911. Thankfully the driver wasn’t hurt and we made it to the command in time. Doing the right thing is always the best option.
Nice! Way back in 2003 as Chuck & I drove to Camp Pendleton for him to deploy to Iraq we saw a vehicle rolling on the east bound side of the interstate in San Diego, it was a little after 2am. We stopped, Chuck ran and jumper the median as I called 911. Thankfully the driver wasn’t hurt and we made it to the command in time. Doing the right thing is always the best option.
An individual of great character. We all respect what you did and the way you handled yourself under this critical situation. Thank you Tom!
Nice job dude!I think he was in Winger back in the day.
Thank you for your amazing heroism! You are a hero and I pray that only good things happen for you and your wife. God bless you
A coward dies a thousand deaths. A hero dies but one.
Tom, this is amazing. You and Gail are wonderful people. Thank you!
Tom’s siblings,myself and my siblings all went to school together in elementary school. We lost touch over the years, but anyone who knows him, knows this is the person he is. Tom, thank you for being an amazing selfless person who puts others first. That is truly rare today.