08/21/2025
Earlier this summer, Taylor Sexton hit the road bright and early to head to Myrtle Beach. Taylor, a surgery technician, was called into OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital late the night before for a trauma case – so she was tired and ready for caffeine. But before she could stop for coffee, she witnessed something that jolted her awake.
“I was driving down I-71 South about ten miles south of Mansfield when I saw a car hit the guard rail heading north,” said Taylor.
She immediately pulled over, called 911 and ran across the highway to help the driver.
“I got him out of his car,” she said. “He was fine, just kind of shaken up. But every car that was flying by on I-71 was hitting pieces of his car and they were flying everywhere.”
She suggested they move to her car to avoid getting hit by any pieces of debris – but they never had a chance.
“About the time I said that, a semi came and hit a part of his car and the guardrail,” said Taylor.
According to Taylor, the semi-truck soared off I-71, clearing State Route 546 below.
“It was just like a bright flash,” said she said. “And it was just smoking really bad.”
Again, Taylor jumped into action. She ran towards the wreck, calling 911 to alert them to the second crash. She cleared a fence and standing water before she could reach the truck on its side. Taylor then climbed through the windshield to get to the driver.
“He was scared,” said Taylor. “He struggled moving because he did something to his hip so he couldn't move very well.”
Taylor quickly got the driver out of his truck and began checking him out.
She stayed with the driver until EMS arrived to take him to Mansfield Hospital. Due to HIPAA regulations, she wasn’t able to find out his condition. But she still thinks about him often.
Taylor hopes the driver may come across this and reach out to let her know how he’s doing. Whether she ever hears from him or not, she feels confident she did everything she could to help him during such a terrifying moment.
Taylor’s story is a reminder of how our associates’ compassion and care for others extends beyond hospital walls. She will be honored at this weekend’s Columbus Crew match for her brave actions. 🤍
