A Brave Act on Interstate 95
A 10-year-old boy demonstrated remarkable bravery when his grandfather passed out while driving at 70 mph on a Georgia highway. Little Drake Linn took control of the vehicle, steering them to safety in an “extraordinary” act.
Drake Linn was in the passenger seat of his grandfather’s truck as they towed a boat down Interstate 95 in Dalton on July 15. Suddenly, his “papa,” 68-year-old Hugh Cox, lost consciousness while on a call with a co-worker.
Quick thinking and courage
“I didn’t know what was going on, and I was scared,” Drake told The Washington Post. Following instructions from his mother, Jessica Linn, Drake jumped into his grandfather’s lap and steered the vehicle over the shoulder.
“I felt like that was probably the last time I was going to hear his voice,” Linn told The Post. “It was just the most desperate and out-of-control feeling.”
A life-saving decision
Cox, a diabetic, had fallen into a coma due to dangerously low blood sugar levels after his glucose-monitoring device stopped working. Drake’s experience driving ATVs and golf carts gave him the confidence to act swiftly on the highway.
Drake managed to pull the truck over without damaging the boat and called 911, explaining his grandfather’s condition. First responders quickly arrived, administering an IV drip that stabilized Cox.
“I’m really scared,” Drake, sobbing, told the dispatcher. “I don’t want him to die.”
Recognition for heroism
Drake was honored by the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office on his 11th birthday with a Citizen Service Award, an Atlanta Braves cap and shirt, and tickets to a Braves game.
“We wanted to do something for him because he not only saved his life and his grandfather’s life, but also some motorists’ lives,” Sheriff Mitch Ralston said. “This kid is a hero, no doubt.”
Family pride
Drake’s parents were not surprised by his bravery. “My own child saved my own parent,” Linn said. “It made my heart swell.”
Hugh Cox expressed his pride and relief, acknowledging the critical role his grandson played in averting a tragedy. “I’m really proud of him,” Cox said. “He’s a good kid.”