Owasso elementary student honored by police, fire chiefs for courageous efforts

On Oct. 3, Owasso Police Chief Jason Woodruff and Owasso Fire Chief David Hurst honored Bailey Elementary student Brooks Thesenvitz for his acts of bravery while involved in a recent car accident.

Brooks, his grandmother, and his great grandparents were driving down the side of a mountain while on vacation in Colorado at the end of August, when his great grandfather suffered a medical episode behind the wheel.

The car crossed a ravine and bounced for about 30 yards across rocks and rough terrain before stopping on the side of a ditch. No one but Brooks could move due to everyone else being stuck or injured.

He ran about a half a mile to the nearest house to get help, but was stopped by another cliff that he couldn’t cross. He then ran back to tell his family before climbing down the ravine and up the other side to flag down a truck.

His great grandfather broke his back, and both his grandmother and great grandmother suffered minor injuries and concussions — but they were all saved thanks to the courageous efforts of Brooks!

What's more, Brooks’ cousin, a firefighter with Stillwater Fire Department who was in town for the camping trip, was one of the first to arrive on scene and quickly recognized the critical role that Brooks played.