TOPEKA — Franklin County deputies Carl Bentley and Timothy Jones received the county’s Lifesaving Award from Sheriff Jeff Curry during Wednesday’s county commission meeting. Jones and Bentley responded to a call about a car being erratically driven that hit a semi-truck on I-35, veered across and off the highway and roared through several fences before crashing into a farm pond southwest of Ottawa a month ago. Bentley plunged into the water and found the driver unconscious. He used his baton to smash the window. Jones arrived, swam into the water, and helped Bentley pull the driver from the submerged car. The man, who was from Pennsylvania and who had a medical condition, was treated and released at Ransom Memorial Hospital. Curry also presented commendations to Bentley, Shane Pruitt, and jJerrod Fredricks.
Thursday, Nov. 17, 5 p.m.
