EASTMAN, Ga. — Brant Cranford has been cutting hair for a living, and his customers can attest to his passion.
"I gave him a shot at cutting my hair, and he's done very well," said Conner Bearden, a frequent at the shop.
However, on Monday, Brant's role expanded beyond being just a barber.
He recalls watching his son play on a tricycle in Eastman when the unexpected happened.
"I was fighting him, trying to get him to come inside because it was raining," Cranford said. "He wouldn't get off the bike. And man, as soon as I turned around, that's when the car went right through the stop sign."
Now, Cranford is being hailed as a hero for his actions. Surveillance footage shows the chaotic moments unfold.
The driver allegedly blew through several stop signs and then drove into the pond. Cranford raced over and pulled her from the vehicle.
He says the female driver climbed out of the driver's seat, over the middle console and out of the back door of the car. After that, he assisted her, holding her up by her arms and bringing her to safety.
"She hit her head pretty hard," He said. "She was aware, but like I said, it seemed like she hit her head pretty bad."
After finding out he was being hailed a hero, he humbly rejected the title.
"Yeah, that's not me," He said. "I was raised in a really good way by my mom and dad. I mean, being from around here, we try and stand by each other."
As for the timing, Brant believes, "It was like the perfect storm. Definitely some divine intervention there."
Eastman Police suspect the driver may have been under the influence, however, the incident is still under investigation.