Arizona Teen Reunites with Firefighters Who Saved His Life

Zeyad Elsuhimi, 14, met the Glendale Fire Department crew that rescued him after a near-fatal accident in 2025.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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In August 2025, 14-year-old Zeyad Elsuhimi was hit by a pickup truck on his way to school in Glendale, Arizona. The firefighters from Engine 156 and Ladder Truck 155 of the Glendale Fire Department quickly arrived on the scene, lifted the truck off Elsuhimi, and performed life-saving measures to restore his breathing. Elsuhimi was mistakenly declared dead at the time, but months later he met the firefighters who saved his life to personally thank them.

Why it matters

This story highlights the critical role of first responders in saving lives, even in the most dire circumstances. It also shows the importance of perseverance and resilience, as Elsuhimi fought to recover from his near-fatal injuries. The reunion between Elsuhimi and the firefighters who saved him provides a heartwarming example of the closure and gratitude that emergency personnel often don't get to experience.

The details

When the firefighters first arrived, Elsuhimi's prognosis was not good - the pickup truck's front left tire was directly on his chest, pinning him down. The firefighters quickly lifted the truck, inserted a needle into his ribs to restore air to his lungs, and cut away the bike wrapped around his legs. Despite their efforts, a local paper mistakenly announced Elsuhimi's death at the time. Months later, the 14-year-old freshman at Mountain Ridge High School walked into the Glendale Fire Department station to personally thank the crew that saved his life.

  • On August 1, 2025, Elsuhimi was hit by a pickup truck on his way to school.
  • In the immediate aftermath, Elsuhimi was mistakenly declared dead by a local newspaper.
  • Months later, in 2026, Elsuhimi reunited with the firefighters who saved his life.

The players

Zeyad Elsuhimi

A 14-year-old freshman at Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, Arizona, who was hit by a pickup truck in 2025 and survived thanks to the quick actions of local firefighters.

Aaron McMurdie

A firefighter-paramedic with the Glendale Fire Department who responded to the scene of Elsuhimi's accident.

Tommy Gobster

A captain with the Glendale Fire Department who was part of the crew that saved Elsuhimi's life.

John Chester

A captain and public information officer with the Glendale Fire Department who was not on Elsuhimi's specific call but spoke about the significance of the reunion.

Glendale Fire Department

The fire department in Glendale, Arizona, whose firefighters from Engine 156 and Ladder Truck 155 responded to the scene of Elsuhimi's accident and saved his life.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you guys for saving me, because I honestly wouldn't be here without you guys and the doctors who helped me and everybody who helped me along the process.”

— Zeyad Elsuhimi

“This kid was extremely strong, he had a lot of perseverance to live.”

— John Chester, Captain, Glendale Fire Department

“This is why we do this job. We all signed up to save people's lives, and so when we get to do that, it makes it worth it, and when we get to meet the person, it makes it even more worth it.”

— Tommy Gobster, Captain, Glendale Fire Department

What’s next

Elsuhimi said he hopes to become a doctor in the future to save people's lives, just like the Glendale Fire crew members who saved his.

The takeaway

This story underscores the critical role of first responders in saving lives, even in the most dire circumstances. It also demonstrates the power of perseverance and resilience, as well as the profound impact that emergency personnel can have on individuals and communities.