Scouting America announced on Tuesday that 16‑year‑old Elijah Buckwald earned its Honor Medal for bravery demonstrated during a 2024 Santiam Pass crash.
The incident occurred on Aug. 12, 2024, when a 2010 Toyota pickup overturned on the highway’s steep southbound grade, trapping a 73‑year‑old couple inside the wreckage.
Buckwald, then 14, was driving with his grandparents when the vehicle rolled; he leapt onto the overturned truck, opened the passenger side door, and held it open until first‑responders arrived, allowing the occupants to exit safely.
The teenager’s quick actions prevented serious injury, and the couple later described the experience as "a miracle".
Troop 25 leader Joshua Mitchell said Buckwald’s training in first aid and emergency response had prepared him for the moment, adding that “his calm under pressure was the difference between a tragedy and a success.”
The award ceremony will be held at the National Jamboree on Nov. 4, where Buckwald will be invited to speak about the importance of preparedness for youth volunteers.