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Tropic Lightning News - 31 August 2000
 Photo(s) by Staff Sgt. Marcia Triggs Carol Nord expresses her appreciation to Spc. Tim Custis one more time after he received the commanding general's coin at the Post Conference Room. | Soldier rescues hit and run victim By Staff Sgt. Marcia Triggs A Schofield Barracks Soldier aided a bicyclist who was hit by a car April 27, on Punahoa Street in Honolulu, Spc. Timothy Custis, an infantryman from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, said he saw Carol Nord, the evening manager at the Ronald McDonald House, riding her bike after midnight on the left side of the street. He moved to the right lane and then noticed another car come up behind him and pass him in the left lane. "I knew an accident was going to happen when the car changed lanes," said Custis. "It was like he ran straight through her." Nord said at the time she was struck by the car, she remembered flying through the air, seeing headlights and expecting to be run over. "I couldn't tell if the headlights were still or moving toward me, so I rolled into the gutter to get out of the way," said Nord. The headlights Nord remembers were not moving. Custis parked his car in the middle of the street to prevent her from being struck by another car. He introduced himself and instructed Nord not to move until medical help arrived. "I'm combat life saver qualified and I treated her for shock," said Custis. He said after awhile Nord seemed to be doing better and was more responsive. A few feet ahead of Custis, the driver of the automobile that hit Nord had also stopped. However, after following Nord's request to call her husband the driver never returned. Coincidentally, Custis had met the driver that night and was able to give his name to the police. Identification of the driver gave the Nord family peace of mind and prevented them from having to pay the medical expenses. "Health insurance doesn't cover you if you don't cause the accident. Whoever causes the accident is liable," said Nord. "Since the driver admitted to hitting me, his insurance will cover my bills." Nord sustained bilateral fractured ribs, internal knee derangement, and a lot of bruises and abrasions. "Tim relieved us of a lot of hardships by being there for me," said Nord. "I can't say how special he is for going out of his way for no other reason than to help me." Stopping and aiding Nord was not an option, said Custis. "It was my duty to get involved. When I saw the accident my only concern was to make sure she was all right." Custis was recognized for his help during a monthly Division Installation Command and Staff meeting at the Post Conference Room Aug. 23. He was presented with a commanding general's coin by Maj. Gen. William E. Ward, commander of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army Hawaii. Ward said Custis's actions show that Soldiers in Hawaii are not just part of the Army community, but the whole community. |
