Tyler Gianchetta, a high-functioning autistic, saved his mother, Susan Gianchetta, 50, from certain death after the car she was driving crashed into a tree and was quickly engulfed in flames.
Dad, Michael Gianchetta, said his wife suffered some type of medical condition while driving on Cold Spring Hills Road in West Hills, Long Island, N.Y., and lost control of the car, NBC News reported.
Son, Tyler, 18, was sitting on the passenger's seat when the incident happened. He started shouting for help and then dragged his mother out of the car.
Despite breaking his arm, Tyler successfully saved his mother's life just seconds before the car was engulfed in flames. He also dialed 911 for help. Neighbors, passing motorists and rescuers arrived to help.
"It was just instinct, just get her out. Don't let my mom die," he said, CBS New York reported.
Meanwhile, Tyler's father called his son a hero, saying he had been through a lot in his life and, "for him to do this is incredible."
But Tyler has said he is not a hero. "I'm getting the hero treatment, and I'm not a hero yet until I know she's OK. I know she's alive, that's step one, get her OK, that's step two," he said according to Little Things.
Susan is currently in a serious condition, with a broken hip and neck and internal injuries.
