Truck driver saved workers after tornado topples 18-wheeler in Alabama

A tornado that ripped through Saraland, AL, last week knocked an 18-wheeler over and trapped the driver inside. WKRG News 5 reported that the truck was docked at China Doll/Dixie Lily Foods.

“It was extremely loud,” China Doll Vice President Will Parker told WKRG 5.

One dock worker said the truck driver, LeFrazier Stallworth, was hollering in pain. Stallworth told reporters he thought he was going to die.

“I heard the wind whistling through and it lifted the tractor up a couple of times and set it down and the third time it picked it up and turned it over and the wind started pushing the trailer through the parking lot,” he said.

The tornado reportedly ripped part of the facility’s roof off, destroyed part of an exterior wall, left a hole in the building and knocked over the 18-wheeler. Parker said he and a coworker ran out to the parking lot as soon as they realized the truck had tipped.

“Adrenaline just kicks in and you do what you have to do and call 911 and get up here,” he told reporters. “He was trapped with his seatbelt. It fell on the driver’s side of the truck, just couldn’t get out. We just wanted to get him out as fast as we could and get him some help.”

Luckily, Stallworth made it out with only a sprained knee and a few minor injuries, according to WKRG 5. But he said he’s going to start paying more attention to tornado warnings.

“If they say stay at home and don’t get on the roads, that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” he said. “God was definitely on my side.”