During a severe blizzard on January 12, a Utah man became a hero when he rescued a tanker truck driver who had crashed off U.S. 40 in northeast Utah.

The rescue: Tyler Mahoney was compelled to pull over due to the blinding snowstorm when he noticed a double tanker had flipped onto its side. Braving the harsh weather, he located the driver, Kent Ashton, partially sticking out of the window, drenched in crude oil from a ruptured tank.

• Mahoney managed to free the windshield and extricate Ashton.
• The driver was later transported up a steep hill to safety on a snowmobile driven by Mahoney's father and eventually handed over to EMTs.

Aftermath: The rescued driver, Ashton, was taken to a nearby hospital to receive necessary medical attention.

Commendation: Mahoney's quick thinking and courageous action in the hazardous conditions earned him commendation for potentially saving Ashton's life in the midst of the storm.

The incident serves as a reminder of the treacherous conditions truckers can face on the road, especially in severe weather, and the incredible acts of bravery and kindness that emerge in response.