HARRISBURG, FEB. 1, 2010 — In a Senate floor ceremony today, state Sen. Mike Stack honored Michael Kogan for displaying exceptional commitment to helping another citizen in need. Stack presented a Senate citation to Kogan for his courageous act. The citation praised Kogan’s heroism.
Last April, Kogan, of Bensalem, was driving along Route 1 in Bucks County when he noticed a stranded motorist on the side of the road.
He pulled over to help Reyna Castro, who had a flat tire. While he was retrieving items in his trunk to help her, a motorist slammed into the back of Castro’s car at 70 miles per hour. Castro, who was standing at the back of her car, was killed instantly.
The motorist hit Castro’s car with such force that her car slammed into the back of Kogan’s car, pinning him between the vehicles. Kogan survived the crash, but he lost both legs.
“Those of us who have driven along Route 1 know how dangerous this highway is,” Stack said. “Michael Kogan paid a heavy price for trying to be a Good Samaritan, but that does not diminish the fact that he pulled over to assist a citizen in need when he could have easily driven past her. He reminds us all that we should try to be better citizens and help those in need.”
Kogan visited the Capitol for the first time last December. During this visit, Kogan, who has two prosthetic legs, took his first steps without any assistance outside of the senator’s office.
“I’m so impressed with his positive disposition. He’s so selfless and courageous and I’m honored that he literally took tremendous steps forward in his rehabilitation at the Capitol,” Stack said. “I wish him the best in his recovery and I hope he will be a source of inspiration to others.”
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