Citizen’s heroic action prevents potential tragedy in Boonville
BOONVILLE- A local resident is being hailed as a hero for taking action by risking his own safety to help save someone else.
During the later afternoon hours Monday, Boonville Village Police said they received a report of an elderly woman, who was suffering a medical emergency while driving into the village on State Route 12.
Boonville Police said the elderly woman became unconscious while approaching the intersection of Woodgate Drive.
Kevin Horan, of Forestport, NY happened to be driving south and witnessed the woman slumped over behind the wheel.
Rather than keep going, Horan reportedly knew something was wrong and decided to take action.
After parking safely off the roadway, Horan managed to run after the vehicle near Headwaters Plaza. While still in motion, Horan managed to open the driver’s door and stop the vehicle, safely.
It is reported that Horan was just about to begin life saving measures right as the elderly victim regained consciousness.
Bystanders rushed in right before local emergency responders arrived and provided medical care.
On behalf of the village and its police department, Chief Dave Olney thanked Horan for taking action and risking his own safety for the sake of someone who needed help.
“Mr. Horan's decisive response exemplifies the highest standards of citizenship and serves as a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make,” the Village Police Department said in a statement.
Chief David Olney presented Kevin Horan with a letter of appreciation along with a commemorative Boonville Police Department challenge coin in thanks and recognition of Horan’s heroic actions (see letter below):
Dear Mr. Horan,
On behalf of the members of the Village of Boonville Police Department, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation and sincere gratitude for your extraordinary actions on July 20, 2026.
When you observed a woman unconscious behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, you did not hesitate. Recognizing the immediate danger to both the driver and everyone else on the roadway, you acted with remarkable courage and selflessness. You safely stopped your own vehicle, ran after the moving car, successfully brought it to a stop, and immediately rendered aid to the woman until emergency responders arrived.
Your quick thinking, decisive actions, and willingness to place yourself in harm's way exemplify the very best qualities of our community. Without your intervention, the outcome could have been tragic. Your actions not only possibly saved the life of the driver but also protected countless others who were traveling on the roadway that day.
Acts of heroism often occur without warning, and true character is revealed in moments of crisis. Your courage, compassion, and commitment to helping another person are an inspiration to all of us. While members of law enforcement are sworn to protect and serve, it is citizens like you who remind us that public safety is truly a shared responsibility.
Please accept this letter as a token of our profound appreciation and respect. It is an honor to recognize your exceptional bravery and selfless service to a fellow citizen. Your actions reflect the highest ideals of humanity and are a source of pride for our entire community.
Thank you for your courage and for making a difference when it mattered most.
With sincere appreciation,
Chief David N. Olney.
Serving as an update to this story, the woman who suffered from the medical emergency in this incident, reached out to Flack Broadcasting with this following message:
My name is Beth A Crane. I am the woman who suffered the medical emergency in Boonville on Monday, July 20, 2026. I was home bound to Harrisville, NY when it occurred.
The last I remembered was driving toward the lights at the intersection. I was slowing as I saw they were red. But after that I remember nothing until the police officer and an off duty EMT ( I am sorry I never got either of their names.) kept trying to get me to stay awake. I had been to Utica at Paxton Medical Center for a procedure. Apparently that procedure caused me to pass out at the wheel.
I am forever thankful to Kevin Horan for recognizing that something wasn’t right and being able to stop my car. I didn’t remember him or him stopping the car. It saved me from crashing my car or hurting someone else!! I have wondered until tonight who or what happened to stop the car. The Boonville Police Department was more than correct to bestow this man an award for his bravery.
Not many people in this day and age would risk their own life to help a total stranger. I shudder to think of I had hit someone else or if it had happened at an even worse location such as on the highway away from a town where we had slowed.
I am still in the hospital as I write this to you. I want to profusely thank the police officer and the lady EMT who helped at the scene. She called my son who lives in Missouri and he called my neighbors in Harrisville. She also moved my car and secured it for me before the ambulance took me back to Utica. I also want to thank the police department and the Boonville EMTs who transported me back to Utica. They were very helpful at a time when I was at my worst.
If anyone knows the people I speak about could they please put them in touch with me. My email address is:
Sincerely,
Beth A Crane
Boonville Village Police Department image.
