OKEECHOBEE — A 17-year-old girl is lucky to be alive after the pickup truck she was driving collided with a semi earlier this year. On Sept. 15 at approximately 6:20 a.m., in a remote area of the eastern part of Okeechobee County, Payton Leske’s pickup truck ran up underneath a semi truck that was stopped in the roadway. The young woman was trapped in her vehicle, and thought she was going to die. She could do nothing but call her sister to say goodbye.

If not for two passersby, Spencer Wintermote and Dillon Resendiz, she probably would not be alive today, said Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel E. Stephen. When the two men arrived on the scene, the truck was already in flames, but with no regard for their own safety, they were determined to get the girl out. Resendiz had a chain in his truck, and together, the two attached it to the door of the girl’s vehicle, and using Resendiz’ work truck, they were able to pull her door open and then get her clear of the fire. “Within minutes, the pickup truck was fully engulfed in flame,” said the sheriff. The victim was flown to Lawnwood Memorial Hospital for treatment.

On Nov. 16, both men were presented with lifesaving awards by the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Stephen said: “We know the actions of these men saved this young woman’s life that morning. Sadly, in our society today, these kinds of things go unrecognized.”

The OCSO often goes out of its way to recognize those in the community who go above and beyond in some way. Sheriff Stephen said, “These days, we focus too much on controversy.”

With tears in her eyes, Payton said: “I owe my life to these two men. I’m very glad they were there to rescue me. I will forever be thankful for them.”

Resendiz’s family said they are very proud of him. His wife said it must have been God’s plan. He was running a little late for work that morning, because he couldn’t find his keys. If he had left on time, he wouldn’t have been there when Payton needed him. Wintermote was ready and willing to help, but did not have a chain. God put both men where he needed them, said Resendiz’s family. This is not unusual for Resendiz, though, they said. He is always stopping to help people. Usually, their cars are not on fire, though, they laughed.