Government, News

Justice recognizes woman who helped family before vehicle explosion

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice recognized a state Division of Highways worker Monday for her recent actions along Interstate 68 east of Morgantown.

Supervisor Tina Bragg and her I-68 Coopers Rock Maintenance Center crew were inspecting the interstate earlier this month when she noticed a vehicle pulled to the side of the road. Justice said it was smoking.

“The lady was trying to get her child out of the car seat,” Justice said Monday. “Tina was able to get them both to safe ground and then it exploded.”

Bragg, a seven-year employee with the DOH and a 20-year volunteer firefighter, said she just reacted.

“My training as a firefighter just kicked in and I was able to get them out and to a safe distance. I was just doing my job,” she said.

Justice called her a hero.

“Not only is she a great worker for us and not only is she a hero in many, many ways but she truly has something that a lot of people don’t have in this day and time and that’s grit,” Justice said.

Bragg received a Certificate of Recognition.