Airman honored by Youngstown for heroic effort

Airman honored by Youngstown for heroic effort

YOUNGSTOWN

Senior Airman Steve Cresanto of the Air Force was driving home along Midlothian Boulevard when he saw two men pushing a car that wouldn’t start.

He stopped and asked if they needed help. The next thing Cresanto of Youngstown saw was another vehicle hit the two men from behind, causing serious injuries.

Cresanto, an air transportation specialist assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing’s 76th Aerial Port Squadron in Vienna, got out of his car and provided first-aid to one of the victims, who would later lose his leg in the Feb. 4 accident.

“I took off his belt and ripped the [windshield] wiper off the car to use as a tourniquet,” he said. “We’re trained to use what you have at your disposal. It was the first thing I thought of and it worked.”

While the man had his leg amputated, he would probably be dead without the “heroic” effort of Cresanto, said police Detective Sgt. Patricia Garcar.

“I’ve never seen someone do what he did, especially with a windshield wiper and a belt,” Garcar said. “Not only did he help, he probably saved a life.”

And for what he did, Cresanto was honored today by Mayor Charles Sammarone and city council.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com