BY JANE PRENDERGAST and GREGORY A. HALL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Mitch Kotzbauer gets a big hug from Bill Pierce. At left is Bill's wife, Mary Pierce.
(Michael Snyder photo)
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FORT WRIGHT -- The face.
Mitch Kotzbauer remembers the first time he saw it. It was coming at him, upside down, in the cab of a pickup.
The smack of a semi had sent the truck airborne, and Mr. Kotzbauer watched as the face literally flew over his vehicle and landed in a ditch.
He didn't know then that the face belonged to Bill Pierce, a husband and father. What he did know was that he was hurt pretty badly, and that the cab was filling up with rain water.
Mr. Kotzbauer knew he shouldn't try to move an accident victim. So he grabbed clothes from his truck, stuffing them around the face to keep the water away until a medical helicopter arrived.
Bill Pierce
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Though their pickup trucks nearly met, hard, that day two years ago, Mr. Kotzbauer and Mr. Pierce had not. At least officially. Mr. Kotzbauer had testified in court about what he saw, but did not get to speak with the man he helped. And he'd felt he shouldn't go to the hospital, that he'd be in the way. Since then, he had pretty much given up on following up.
But Mr. Pierce's family didn't forget their good Samaritan. They called this week with an invitation -- to dinner Friday night.
"It's just going to be neat to see him walking around and talking and just recovering," Mr. Kotzbauer, 20. "And to see his family. They really realize what they would've lost. Not that we deserve thank-yous. But it sure is nice."
He says "we," referring to emergency medical technicians and firefighters. He is both now, for the Union Fire Department -- in part because of Mr. Pierce.
"I always had a good feeling for it, but that definitely drove it home," he said. "This is what I want to do."
What Mr. Pierce and his family wanted to do was show their gratitude. Since the wreck April 2, 1996, at Weaver Road and Sam Neace Drive, Mr. Pierce is feeling much better.
Friday's dinner was actually a retirement party for the 55-year-old man. Mr. Pierce, who was landscaping coordinator for Procter & Gamble Co., got a lawnmower. Mr. Kotzbauer got a leather University of Kentucky jacket to replace the jacket that was ruined in the rescue attempt.
Mr. Pierce's wife, Mary, arranged the event for her husband, but the reunion was as much for her. She was the first to hug Mr. Kotzbauer as she cried and thanked him.
"I've waited two years to do that," she said.
Mr. Pierce first shook the hand of the rescuer he knew existed but never met, and then hugged him. The last thing Mr. Pierce remembers was leaving his house to watch his grandchildren at his daughter's house, and then being in a hospital room.
"It's nice to see you up and walking around," Mr. Kotzbauer said.
Mr. Pierce was more than happy to share his party.
"If it wasn't for Mitch, I wouldn't be here today." Friday's invitation came from the Pierces. The next will be from Mr. Kotzbauer. He and Jennifer Smith will be married next April, and he would like to see his new friends there.
