COOK COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - A retired paramedic is being called a hero after suffering severe burns while trying to save a trapped truck driver during a fiery crash on Interstate 75 in Cook County.

Witnesses say the crash happened May 22 when a semi-truck slammed into a concrete median and caught fire along I-75.

Joel Alvarado, 41, said he was on his way to an Amazon warehouse to complete an Amazon Flex delivery route when he saw the wreck and immediately stopped to help.

Despite retiring from being a paramedic in 2022 because of back problems and having two spinal cord stimulators, Alvarado said helping others has always been part of who he is.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Alvarado worked as a paramedic for 15 years before retiring.

“I saw someone who needed help,” Alvarado told WALB. “I just reacted.” Heather Rebolledo, who witnessed the crash, said she, her husband and their children were traveling to Georgia to visit family when they saw the semi-truck crash into the concrete median and burst into flames.

Rebolledo said as traffic came to a stop, Alvarado immediately ran toward the burning truck to help the trapped driver.

She said moments later, an explosion erupted while Alvarado was trying to get the driver out.

Rebolledo described seeing Alvarado screaming in pain after his pants caught fire during the explosion, while others nearby rushed to pull him away from the flames. Witnesses said the driver was able to escape the truck just moments before it became fully engulfed in flames.

Now, Alvarado is recovering from second- and third-degree burns to his arms, hands and legs.

He told WALB he is undergoing surgery Tuesday where doctors will deep clean the wounds, remove dead skin and place cadaver skin over the burns to help with healing.

Alvarado said doctors are expected to later remove the cadaver skin and begin skin graft procedures using his own skin where needed.

As Alvarado continues recovering in the hospital, many online are calling his actions a reminder that compassion and selflessness still exist.

In a moment where most people would have run away from danger, witnesses say Alvarado ran directly toward it to save a stranger’s life.

A GoFundMe page has now been created to help Alvarado and his family with mounting medical expenses as he recovers from his injuries.

WALB has reached out to the Georgia State Patrol for an official incident report involving the crash.

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