Trucker that found Taylor located!

11:33am

I recently picked up a CD of the original 911 call reporting Taylor's crash, as well as all other radio traffic of ambulance, fire and helicopter crews.

I've also been able to locate the truck driver, Connell Waldron, that found Taylor's car upside down off the roadway, and then Taylor lying on the side of the road. Connell works for the H.T. Hackney Co., in Tampa.

I called H. T. Hackney Co. last Wednesday and spoke to Connell's supervisor, Skip. I told him that Connell was on the top of our "thank you" list, and I wanted to tell him how grateful we are that he stopped and stayed with Taylor until the ambulance arrived. Skip gave me Connell's home phone and cell phone numbers.

On Thursday, I called Connell to thank him and to learn more about the crash scene. Connell said he was traveling on State Road 60 at about 65mph and caught a glimpse of Taylor's car in the dark well off the roadway. Taylor's car was dark grey and the lights were off so it was hard to see. Connell said he thought it may have been a vehicle crash, so he slowed down, turned around, and returned to check. He said as he neared he could tell it was an overturned vehicle so he called 911 before even stopping his truck.

As he neared the car, he found Taylor laying on the ground near the highway and "a pretty good distance" from his car. He said that Taylor was laying on his back, but was unconscious. He said every now and again he'd move an arm or leg, but he wasn't trying to talk.

Connell said he stayed with Taylor to keep him safe until the ambulance arrived.

The sad reality is that not everyone stops at an accident scene. In fact, Connell was the only person to call 911. Passing cars could be heard in the background of the tape recording. There is no telling how many cars may have passed Taylor by without either seeing his car or caring enough to call 911, let alone stop to see if they can help. On the other hand, Connell may have been the first passerby after Taylor's car flipped.

One of the main reasons Taylor is alive today is because Connell Waldron turned his truck around and got help to him quickly. Obviously, there is no way to repay him. But, when Taylor gets out of rehab and his home to live for good, we're going to the H.T. Hackney Co. to personally thank Connell.

If you want to hear the 911 tape, click here.

Transcript of Connell's call to 911

Dispatch: 911, this is Heather, where do you need help?

911: 911 with a transfer, cell area code 813-XXX-XXXX, motor vehicle crash, go ahead Sir, tell her where it’s located.

Dispatch: Hello? Hello? Hello, Sir?

Connell: Hey, how you doing?

Dispatch: Hi, where’s the crash located at?

Connell: Uh, it’s on 60

Dispatch: On Highway 60…..

Connell: Yes

Dispatch: OK. What’s the closest intersection?

Connell: Uh…..closest intersection…..uh…..I have no idea…….shucks……closest intersection…..

911: East of Bonnie Mine…

Dispatch: What is it?

911: His Phase 2 (cell tower triangulation to determine physical location of Connell’s cell phone) puts him east of Bonnie Mine road

Connell: Uh…yea, there’s a plant up here…

Dispatch: There’s a what? What city are you in?

Connell: I’m just past Mulberry…………………oh, Man……….

Dispatch: There’s a plant?

Connell: Are you alright, Man? (Talking to Taylor) …..What, Ma’am?

Dispatch: You said there’s a plant?

Connell: Yea, some kind of uh……God….some kind of plant here….there’s a plant here…..there’s a….shucks…..just past Mulberry headed towards Bartow

Dispatch: OK. What is your name?

Connell: I’m Connell. I just pulled over and the car is upside down….and there’s a kid laying on the ground here.

Dispatch: Is the kid moving?

Connell: He’s moving a little bit, yea, but…..he’s like, he’s not talking or anything

Dispatch: There’s just one single vehicle upside down?

Connell: Yes

Dispatch: What type of vehicle is it?

Connell: Uh, it’s kinda like tore up a lot…..I don’t see……

Dispatch: Does the child (inaudible)

Connell: …I can’t tell…….a small car, Ma’am

Dispatch: Is it a little child?

Connell: Nah, he’s like a teenager

Dispatch: OK

Connell: Yea, I don’t know if there’s anybody else…..I don’t see anybody else unless they’re still in the car…..but, he’s out of the car, yea…

Dispatch: He’s out of the car but he’s not……

Connell: Yea, he’s on the ground, but he’s not saying anything….

Dispatch: OK. But you can tell that he’s breathing and everything, correct?

Connell: He’s moving and he’s bleeding, and stuff…..yea….

Dispatch: OK….what’s your phone number?

Connell: xxx-xxx-xxxx

Dispatch: OK. We’re gonna get help out there, OK?

Connell: Thanks

Dispatch: OK. Bye bye

Connell: Bye