A view of the car fire from the Amazon delivery van.
Amazon hero Ervin Ruhe.
Amazon Driver Ervin Ruhe became a true hero last week when he saved a dog’s life from a car caught on fire.
Ruhe has been driving for Amazon for four years in the Central Valley. While he’s on the road, he often comes across unusual situations. However, one evening while he was ending his delivery routes and helping a colleague finish deliveries in Merced, he noticed a car caught on fire on the side of the road near W. 16th Street and Highway 99.
A man was distressed trying to open the car door. After freeing his wife from the passenger side, the man went back to the car. Ruhe quickly jumped into action and pulled over offering to help. He immediately grabbed his emergency fire extinguisher from the Amazon delivery van and began to try to extinguish the fire. The man told Ruhe his dog was still in the car. Ruhe was able to get the flames down enough to reach in and unlock the back seat door while the owner was able to grab his dog (a Chihuahua).
Ruhe then called 911 to report the incident and ensure the fire department was able to fully extinguish the car. Thankfully, no one was injured.
“I just wanted to do the right thing and be a good citizen,” Ruhe said. “I saw they needed help and so I acted quickly to do what I can.”
His actions prompted praise from his colleagues and company management.
“We are very grateful of Ervin for going above and beyond and helping out a community member and their pet while in distress,” said Navneet Kaur, the senior regional manager of the Amazon Delivery Station. “It’s amazing to witness the ownership and willingness to go above and beyond to help someone in need.”
