Grateful dad meets heroes who saved son from chilly creek

Both Trooper Dwight Braswell and Scott Asbill, associate dean of academic affairs at Campbell's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, were driving their children to school on Monday morning when they spotted a car upside-down in a creek along U.S. Highway 301.

Jarrell Booker, 20, had fallen asleep on his way home from work, and his car drifted off the highway to the right, according to the Highway Patrol. He then over corrected, crossed the center line and ran off the road left into the water, where the car overturned.

"The car was totally submerged, and all you could see were four tires in the air," Braswell said. "It was like out of a movie."

"I was chest deep into the creek. You couldn’t see anything inside of there," said Asbill, who waded into the water in a suit and tie.

Asbill said Braswell got in and helped steady him.

"He had a hold of me by the shoulder, he wasn't going to let me go," Asbill said.

Booker was crying for help and only had a small pocket of air left in the submerged car.

"He was afraid, and frankly, if I were in his shoes I would be afraid as well. Anybody would," Asbill said.

The two were able to pry the door open.

"He had his arms around him, and just held onto him and just hugged him," Braswell said.

The men believe God had a hand in the rescue.

"Man, I am just so grateful to you guys, man," said Booker's father, Kenny Booker.

"We were just there to facilitate God's plan for him, no doubt about that," Asbill said. "The good lord has great things in store for your son."

Booker was taken to WakeMed in Raleigh for treatment of hypothermia and was released Monday afternoon.

Asbill said eight to 10 people were on the creek bank and helped pull Booker and him from the water.

"It just lets me know there are still some good people in the world that care about other human beings," Kenny Booker said. "I'm forever grateful to them."

Booker was charged with careless and reckless driving.