Sartell Man Honored with Life Saving Award for Heroic Actions in Tow Truck Rescue

(KNSI) – A rescuer who found himself in need of rescuing got the help he needed from a bit of an unlikely source.

According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, around 10:00 a.m. on January 13th, tow truck driver Charon Ricks had just finished getting Jared Bentrud’s car back onto North Benton Drive after it slid off the road when another car lost control and crashed into the tow truck. Ricks was pinned between the two vehicles, suffering severe injuries to both of his legs.

Bentrud, a Bethel University Student and member of the University of Minnesota Reserve Officer Training Corps program, put his education in tactical combat casualty care into action. He could see Ricks had a severed artery and was beginning to lose a lot of blood. Bentrud tied a tourniquet on both of Ricks’ legs to slow the bleeding. According to a GoFundMe page, Ricks’s right leg needed to be amputated, but both medical personnel and responding deputies said if it weren’t for Bentrud’s efforts that day, Ricks would not be here today.

Tuesday morning, the Benton County Board of Commissioners presented Bentrud with its Life Saving Award for his quick and heroic actions.

The driver who crashed into the tow truck may have been under the influence at the time. The investigation has been completed and the Benton County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case for potential charges.

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