Mark Pembleton the hero inside the fire

Mark Pembleton made a selfless decision on September 18, 2023, when he witnessed a devastating fiery accident on route 28 in Sterling. After witnessing the accident, Mark pulled over, abandoned his vehicle (with his two children inside) and ran to inspect the scene. Once Mark started approaching the engulfed semi, he heard Cesar Yepez screaming for help. In previous statements made by Mark, "Cesar crawled through the window of the passenger side of the truck and then collapsed. Cesar was on his hands and knees. His shirt was burned off of him, but his pants were still on fire."

At that moment, Mark could have made two decisions. One, freeze and watch a suffering stranger while he pleads for help, or two, choose to risk his own life while his children watch their father enter a burning truck, unsure if he will return. Thankfully, Marks 20 plus years in the Navy and his selfless heart helped him make the decision he made.

During an interview with NBC4, Mark commented, "I have to get him out of there. If he was fighting, I was fighting.” After witnessing Cesar's condition, Mark rushed in and started pulling Cesar away from the fire. Due to Mark's fight or flight decision, Cesar has been given an opportunity that allows him to continue fighting. Unfortunately, because of Marks quick act of bravery and total disregard to his own safety, he ended up leaving the scene of the accident in an ambulance with 3rd degree burns to his head, arms and hands. Mark has already undergone surgery for skin grafts and was able to return home to continue healing with his family.

Last Monday I received a message on facebook from Marks wife, Fernanda. She shared with me that her husband was the man who helped pull Cesar from the fire and their only concern at that moment was if Cesar was still alive. Never once did Fernanda express any sort of anger or frustration towards the fact that her husband was laying in a hospital bed and THEIR life would also never be the same. Since that initial message from her, they have spent endless amounts of energy and time checking in on Cesar and his family, and continue to do so every night since the accident happened. No amount of appreciation will ever make up for what Mark's family lost on the side of the road that evening as well. Mark deserves to be recognized as a hero in his community and we will be sure that happens! Please help us support Mark and his family while they take the time to heal internal and external wounds.

Thank you Mark from all of us!