As he does every morning, Jason Parks of Gretna was driving Interstate 80 on his way to work at J&B Powder Coating in Aurora, but Monday was different.

Just after he drove past the Henderson overpass, Parks noticed a semi creeping on the driving lane of the interstate and passed it, merging back into the driving lane. Another semi followed him, passing the same semi tractor-trailer just after 5:50 a.m.

When Parks looked in his rear-view mirror, though, he couldn’t believe what he saw.

The semi following his merged back into the driving lane too fast, and the two tractor-trailers collided. At that point the back tractor burst into flames. Parks and another passerby pulled an injured driver from the truck and seconds later it exploded again.

The trailer hitched to the front semi tractor was carrying equipment for the Sky Tram which was to be installed in Grand Island prior to this year's Nebraska State Fair.

For more details on this heroic, life-saving story, see this week's print or e-editions.