DENVER (KDVR) — A U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class in the Colorado Army National Guard is set to be given the Soldier's Medal for heroism on Wednesday for actions he took in August 2023.

According to the Colorado National Guard, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert F. Cruz, 8th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, Colorado Army National Guard, saved a man's life while headed home from work on Aug. 30, 2023.

Cruz was driving when he witnessed a four-vehicle crash. One vehicle reportedly veered off the road to avoid the initial collision of two vehicles, then rolled several times into oncoming traffic and hit a fourth vehicle. The Sergeant 1st Class pulled over and began assessing the people inside the vehicles in front of him.

That's when the rolled vehicle burst into flames. Cruz reportedly rushed over to the burning vehicle, where he found the driver unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. Cruz checked that there was no one else in the vehicle, then climbed into the rolled vehicle, unbuckled the driver and moved the driver to a safe distance from the burning vehicle.

Despite having checked the car, once the driver revived, they mentioned a child. Cruz quickly checked the rolled vehicle and found an empty child's car seat, and continued to search the vehicle and the surrounding area to confirm there was no one else inside.

Once finding there was no one else, Cruz reportedly stayed next to the driver until first responders arrived on scene. He also shared details of what he witnessed and did with the responding law enforcement.

According to the Colorado National Guard, the Soldier’s Medal is the highest U.S. Army award for acts of heroism in a non-combat situation. It was established in 1926 by an Act of Congress and is awarded to anyone in the U.S. Armed Forces or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving with the U.S. Army, distinguished themselves by heroism that does not involve conflict with an enemy.

The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan will present the award to Cruz.

“Sgt. 1st Class Cruz’s heroic action which saved a man’s life is in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army,” Clellan said in a Colorado National Guard release.  “I’m proud to serve with Robert in the Colorado Army National Guard.”

The ceremony is open to the public and will be held at the Colorado Freedom Memorial at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9.