Billy Wilson

On October 11th we had the worst storm I've ever seen in my 50 years in this town which left flooding, mudslides, downed powerlines, and roads washed out everywhere.  At 730 that night i was having to be at work going down goodyear blvd.  I took a route where i figured i would not hit a bridge that i know is on the opposite side of this road leading to the Dan River.  Little did I know I passed my workplace, Goodyear, and was heading toward that bridge anyway.  The reason i passed it was due to the whole city was in black out mode u couldn't see 2ft in front of you much.less anything on the left or right of you and Goodyear had zero power.  Next thing i know i hit a wall of water and realized omg I'm at the bridge.  My car immediately floats away to the right and i knew it was a matter of minutes before i would be under water.  I attempted to get out of my drivers side but couldn't because the car was moving and leaning over.  I then jumped in passenger seat rolled down window and tried to get out by this time the water is in car around my neck.  When I was able to get halfway out the window the car took a nose dive and started going under leaving my legs stuck in the car and the pressure of water keeping me with the vehicle.  I was finally able to get away from car and felt like forever before u could surface.  The current was strong and no matter all much i tried to swim i was going no where.  During this time i also heard screaming from another woman yelling help at first i though someone had seen me go in and was yelling help for me but then i realized someone had hit the opposite side of bridge and was also in the water.  I was smart enough to throw my phone in my bra and used my voice control to call for help but they had difficulty understanding me due to taking on water.  After about 20min I knew i wasn't going to be able to hold on much longer and called my husband and boys to tell them I love them and goodbye but all my husband heard was I'm in the water and he said he heard gurgling and phone cut off.  Right when I figured this was it for me I seen headlights and tried so hard to keep my head up so i could scream help, in meantime I'm still hearing other lady yelling help. A young man by the name of Billy Wilson jumped in this current without regard for his own safety and attempted to get me.  He tried coming all the way to where i was at but the current was too strong and he told me "I'm hear I got you but you going to have to try and swim to me"  I tried and tried and didn't get very far so in disregard for his safety he came closer trying to keep his own head above water and we were able to touch fingertips and then he pulled me and kept pulling me until I felt ground.  He told me to keep walking and he proceeded to go to try and get the other woman risking his life again which was all the way to other side of bridge.  This young man tried so hard to save this lady but was unable to get to her.  I know he is going thru his own torment right now because he could not get to her.  I want everyone to know this young man that was so selfless that night.  He is not asking for anything and his father told me he is a very humble person and is currently having to stay in a hotel trying to take care of his daughter because thet still have no power since October 11th.  PLEASE HELP ME HELP GIVE THIS YOUNG MAN SOMETHING.  AND TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW HE RISK HIS LIFE 3 FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO BE RESCUED TRYING TO GET TO THE OTHER WOMAN THAT NIGHT IN THE SPOT THE CAR I WAS DRIVING WENT UNDER AND WE LATER WAS TOLD IT WAS SUBMERGED IN AROUND 25 TO 30FT OF WATER.  This young man is a hero and will always be what i said was my guardian angel that evening because had he not showed I would not be here with my boys now.