News release
SELDEN — On Dec. 16th at approximately 11:50 p.m., Sheridan County Communication Center received a report of a motor vehicle fire on Highway U83 MM 193, just north of Selden. Upon the arrival of the Sheridan County Fire Department, it was reported that the vehicle was fully engulfed.
After an initial investigation, it was determined that a Good Samaritan who was traveling northbound on Highway U83 observed flames coming from the undercarriage of a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am owned by Shannon Harris of Colby. The Good Samaritan was later identified as 29-year-old Yevgeniy Lomakin of Vancouver, Wash.
Lomakin stopped when he saw no one around the vehicle to check the situation. Lomakin approached the vehicle and found an adult sleeping in the driver seat and three children — ages 3,6 and 10 — also asleep inside the vehicle. It was later determined the driver of the Pontiac Grand Am had pulled over after becoming fatigued. All occupants were asleep in the vehicle when the fire started.
Lomakin ran to the vehicle and started pounding on the windows to wake the four people inside. Lomakin woke Harris and then safely removed two of the three children from the vehicle. Both Harris and the oldest child safely removed themselves from the vehicle. Lomakin moved the four individuals across the road and into his truck out of the cold, then proceeded to move down the road a safe distance, and proceeded to dial 911. After being checked by EMS personnel, it was determined that all four individuals had not sustained any injuries. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.
“It is Good Samaritans like Lomakin that deserve to be recognized for his quick thinking, actions and heroism," said Sheriff Brandon Carver. "Not only did he save the lives of Harris and her three children, but after giving his statement to law enforcement, Lomakin ensured everyone was OK. Lomakin then gave a cash donation to Harris stating, 'I want you to have this for Christmas.' ”
Lomakin then got back into his truck and continued down the road.
"Yevgeniy, there is no way we can thank you enough for your heroism," the department said in a news release.