SILVER LAKE, Wis. — Between sets Saturday night at Bender’s Bar and Grill, the crowd paused the music to honor a local man whose split-second actions likely saved a young woman’s life during a fiery head-on crash that occurred May 2 in Wheatland.

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State Rep. Amanda Nedweski presented 57-year-old Bristol resident Tom Nevala with a Wisconsin state citation and an American flag that had been flown over the State Capitol in recognition of what she called his “selflessness” and heroism.

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Nevala, a longtime union electrician and member of the local acoustic rock band Hindsight, had just finished performing with the band when Nedweski addressed the packed crowd.

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“We are here to present a citation to Tom because he’s a local hero,” Nedweski told attendees.

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Nedweski said the flag had been flown over the Wisconsin State Capitol specifically in Nevala’s honor after he rescued a woman from a burning vehicle following the violent May 2 crash on Highway 83.

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“We have flown the flag over the state capitol in honor of your selflessness in rescuing a woman from a very fiery accident on Highway 83 just about a week ago,” Nedweski said.

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She praised Nevala for risking his own life to save another person as flames engulfed the wrecked vehicle.

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“I want to say thank you for putting yourself out there and for exemplifying what it means to be a Wisconsinite,” Nedweski said. “So thank you to Tom for being a hero.”

Authorities said the crash scene quickly turned catastrophic.

Dispatch audio described one vehicle as “on fire right in the middle of the street,” while deputies warned the vehicle was “about to blow” as flames intensified and tires began popping.

Before emergency crews arrived, Nevala ran toward the burning wreckage after spotting smoke while driving with his wife, Gale.

Nevala previously told Kenosha County Eye he climbed into the back seat of one of the wrecked vehicles and found a young woman trapped inside screaming for help.

At first, he hesitated to move her because of the severity of her injuries. But moments later, flames began spreading through the vehicle.

“She said her legs were burning,” Nevala recalled. “So I said, okay, we got to go now.”

Nevala dragged the woman out through the rear door seconds before the vehicle became fully engulfed.

Despite hearing popping noises and fearing the vehicle could explode, Nevala said he never considered backing away.

“This thing could blow up right in my face,” he said. “I don’t care.”

Nevala later told Kenosha County Eye he felt he had already lived “a good life” and was willing to risk his own life to save someone else.

His wife, Gale, said she believes the trapped woman would have died if Nevala had not intervened before emergency crews arrived.

“She would have had zero chance,” Gale Nevala said.

As the crowd inside Bender’s applauded Saturday night, Nevala appeared visibly humbled by the recognition before returning to the stage with Hindsight.

Moments later, the music resumed.