NJ National Guard soldiers honored for rescuing family after car crash

Four New Jersey Army National Guard soldiers have been honored for meritorious service after rescuing a family of three from a head-on crash two months ago.

Army 2nd Lt. Anthuanet C. Gomez-Blacido, 2nd Lt. Sean M. Lukowski, Spc. Jahsiear W. Scott, and Sgt. 1st Class Alexis Colon were awarded the Army Achievement Medal during a ceremony Friday at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, according to a service news release.

The soldiers are assigned to 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

On May 15, Gomez-Blacido, Lukowski and Scott were driving back to base when a truck swerved into their lane and hit the car in front of them, the release said.

The soldiers immediately stopped and rushed to the wrecked vehicle, rescuing the male driver, a woman passenger and a baby in the back seat. Colon arrived shortly after to manage a growing crowd and assisted the father with the baby, the release said.

They rendered first aid and remained with the family until emergency responders arrived. The family was then airlifted from the scene for medical treatment.