Lafayette, IN – The Indiana State Police is proud to recognize Ms. Tanna McKinley and Ms. Siri Sahoo for their extraordinary bravery and swift action during a rollover crash on October 10, 2024, along southbound I-65 in White County. For their courageous efforts, both women have been awarded the prestigious Lifesaving Award.
At approximately 8:21 P.M., Ms. McKinley and Ms. Sahoo came upon a crash scene where a vehicle had overturned and landed on its passenger side near the 184-mile marker. Without hesitation, they stopped to assist. As the vehicle began to catch fire, they discovered an elderly man trapped inside on the driver’s side.
The women first attempted to open the driver’s side door but were unable to do so. Thinking quickly, they instructed the man to crawl to the back seat and try to exit through the rear side window. Though the man was able to move to the back, he still could not escape the vehicle.
Ms. McKinley and Ms. Sahoo then worked together to pull the man through the rear driver’s side window. Moments after they removed him, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames. Their fast and selfless response undoubtedly saved the man’s life, as he was unable to exit the vehicle on his own. Thanks to their heroic actions, the elderly man was not injured.
Each woman was presented with a Lifesaving Award Certificate, formally recognizing her for exceptional meritorious service and heroic conduct in saving the life of a fellow human being.
The Indiana State Police extends its deepest gratitude to Ms. McKinley and Ms. Sahoo for their bravery and service to their community.