Published on Thursday, June 30, 2005
in the Slidell Sentry News, LA

I-75 heroics save Florida officer's life

SLIDELL -- A Slidell man received special recognition from Louisiana State Police Wednesday for saving the life of a corporal in the Florida Highway Patrol.

It had just started to rain in Ocala, Fla. the afternoon of March 26 as Anthony Caronia and his family sat in traffic on Interstate 75 on the way to their Disney World vacation.

Caronia looked out of the window to his left and noticed a man standing on the side of the road at the bottom of a hilly section, he said.

"All of a sudden, out of the blue, this big orange ball of fire came out of the sky," said Caronia. Caronia said the strange orange glow he witnessed looked like a missile.

But it wasn't a missile that struck Cpl. Daniel A. DeWeese who had been on the side of the road to investigate a crash; it was lightning.

"Smoke went off of him about 35 to 40 feet in the air," said Caronia. "A second went by and the next thing you know, he just collapses, falls out."

Before he even realized the man he had just seen struck by lightning was a member of the Florida Highway Patrol, Caronia pulled his car over and jumped out to help DeWeese, instructing his children to stay in the car while his wife called 911.

When he saw the police car, Caronia reached in and grabbed the radio to call for help. Not knowing his exact location, Caronia began looking for landmarks to describe where he was to direct emergency workers.

By this time, a volunteer firefighter from New Jersey had also pulled on the side of the road. He and Caronia's wife tried to help the corporal while Caronia instructed them based on instructions he was receiving through the radio.

DeWeese's lips were blue; his face was red and he barely had a pulse, Caronia said. When he coughed, it was a good sign.

As Caronia waited for paramedics, cars filled with onlookers stopped at the scene out of curiosity.

"I screamed out for them to leave if they're not providing medical service," he said.

Soon the paramedics arrived to take DeWeese for treatment.

Later that night, Caronia called to find out how DeWeese was doing and was reassured that his life-saving efforts had paid off.

Louisiana State Police Troop L Spokesperson Kevin Allen said his troop was contacted by the Florida State Police who also honored Coronia for his work.

"We're very proud of him," said Allen. "Anytime someone does something that goes above and beyond, they should be commended. He set an example for the rest of the state."

Caronia said he just did what came naturally.

"Whenever I see somebody broke down I always stop to help," he said. "It could be my brother or sister on the side of the road."

"Often greatness is forced upon a person," said Col. Henry Whitehorn, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, "but sometimes you do something from your heart to save another."

Caronia received a plaque, a framed certificate and a Florida Highway Patrol coin. He said he didn't expect all this attention.

"I would do it again in a heartbeat," he said.

Also awarded by state police Wednesday were Covington's Mary Darnell along with her son Justin and Nerle Gutierrez for demonstrating seatbelt safety during car crashes.

DeWeese is recuperating at home and is expected to return to full duty in the near future, according to Col. Christopher Knight, director of the Florida Highway Patrol.