A Vaughnsville man with a Bluffton connection is the Bluffton Police Department’s 2018 Citizen of the Year.

The honor goes to Kenneth Dotson, coincidentally the father of Tom Dotson, who owns Tommy Tire. Kenneth Dotson works at Tommy Tire. He was recognized during the Jan. 14 Bluffton council meeting.

Here’s the circumstances surrounding the award:

On Nov. 8 Kenneth Dotson and his wife, Rebecca, were southbound on Interstate 75 near mile marker 138 when they witnessed a two-vehicle accident on the Interstate.

Hope Hannah, Bluffton police officer, dispatched to the accident reported what she witnessed this way:

“Before Bluffton EMS and fire equipment arrived one of the vehicles was on fire at the accident.

“Mr. Dotson (bystander) stopped to help get the lady from the burning vehicle before it became fully engulfed.

“To me that was a selfless act to risk his own life to save another person’s life."

Dotson said that he knew that he had to act quickly when he saw the accident. “I knew the vehicle was about to explode.” And so, he rushed to pull Carol Fenton of Elida, an employee of Tower Automotive of Bluffton, from her vehicle.

He told the Icon that Carol wanted to attend the council meeting but is still hospitalized.

Ryan Burkholder, Bluffton police chief, also announced two additional awards at the council meeting. Dominic Francis was named officer of the year by his peers. Sgt. Tyler Hochstetler and Kato, the department’s K-9, received the Chief’s Leadership Award. Watch the Icon for stories on those two awards.