New London ― Mayor Michael Passero called the life-saving acts of three individuals during a fiery crash on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge on April 21 “a remarkable example of what people are all about... the best of human nature.”

New London Police Lt. Cornelius “Neil” Rodgers and Groton resident Brandon Bylo were honored Monday at a special ceremony at the Garde Arts Center for what New London Police Chief Brian Wright said was a display of bravery and selflessness that has brought pride to the New London police department and the community.

The two men stopped on the bridge to aid the two victims in a crash on Interstate 95 with a fuel tanker moments before the car was engulfed in flames. The driver of the fuel tank truck died.

“Events like this, however tragic, reinforce confidence in mankind that we are our brothers and sisters keepers and when push comes to shove we will do the right thing even if it means danger for ourselves,” Wright said. “That has to be championed tonight, the fact that as a society, as a community we have to be there to help one another.”

Rodgers was off-duty and on his way home from a workout at a Groton gym when he came upon the accident. He saw a bystander helping 35-year-old Chartel Butler of New London from a wrecked car while an overturned fuel tanker truck erupted into flames nearby. Fuel leaking from the tanker crept towards the car where 58-year-old Reginald Collins of New London, Butler’s father, was still trapped behind the wheel. Rogers made an unsuccessful attempt to open the driver’s side door and ran around to pull Collins from the passenger side.

Rodgers and another individual, who was identified but asked to remain anonymous, dragged the man to safety with the aid of Bylo, 30, of Groton. Bylo was on his way to the mall to get pretzel bites for his 2-year-old daughter, Amber, when he came upon the scene and stopped to help.

Rogers and Bylo stood on stage during Monday’s ceremony looking slightly uncomfortable as they received accolades and were awarded with proclamations and commendations from a host of state and local officials and private organizations. State senators, state representatives, City Council members, state Commissioner of Public Safety James Rovella and others were on hand to provide remarks.

The two victims in the crash who were pulled to safety stood up from the audience to offer their own thanks.

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“Without them I wouldn’t be standing here,” Collins said. “God bless you and may you keep doing the right thing. “Thank you very much for saving my life and giving me another chance.

Butler said she was scared that day, especially for her father who was still trapped in the car as she was rushed to safety. Butler said in a time when people “mind their own business and not get involved,” she was thankful someone actually stopped to help.

She thanked Rodgers and Bylo on behalf of herself and her daughter.

The crash claimed the life of Wallace “Wally” Fauquet III, 42, of Gales Ferry. Fauquet had been driving the home heating fuel oil truck for McCarthy Heating Oil Service and returning to the Quaker Hill office after filling up his tank in Groton.

Wright led a moment of silence for Fauquet.

The accident occurred at 11 a.m. on April 21 on the southbound side of Interstate 95 on the bridge. The fuel oil truck had struck the rear of Collins’ vehicle, which had stopped in the right lane because of a flat tire.

New London and Groton City firefighters, with aid from multiple other departments, fought the fire on the bridge and under the bridge where burning fuel cascaded through a bridge storm drain and ignited the shoreline below.

The cause of the accident remains part of a state police investigation.

g.smith@theday.com