Manatee County Commission honors Levi Parker Teuton with proclamation for rescuing teen from burning truck in Myakka City

MANATEE -- Levi Parker Teuton, a Myakka City resident who saved a 15-year-old boy from a burning truck in April, was honored with a proclamation during Tuesday's county commission meeting. Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, who represents Myakka City, read the proclamation that designated Tuesday as Levi Parker Teuton Day.

"I believe it was a miracle that day and I was brought there to save him and I was just a tool," Teuton said Tuesday. "It's an amazing award. I don't deserve all this. ...I was just doing what I would want someone to do for me and my family and do what God called me to do."

On April 5, Teuton and his family were returning from a camping trip along the Myakka River when they saw the black smoke. Teuton proceed edto free a trapped 15-year-old Arcadia boy from a burning 1997 Dodge Ram on State Road 70.

Both suffered second- and third -egree burns to more than 50 percent of their bodies but after medical treatment, they are doing well, according to Tuesday's agenda materials. The driver, 55-year-old Wilfred Calvin Jones, died.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 2:40 PM with the headline "Manatee County Commission honors Levi Parker Teuton with proclamation for rescuing teen from burning truck in Myakka City ."