Kosher Diner Owners Play Hero on Chicago Highway
Brothers Ken and Daniel Hechtman, owners of a kosher diner, helped saved several people from a fiery wreck in suburban Chicago.
While driving back Sunday night from their kosher diner in Skokie, a semi-truck in front of them on the Edens Expressway in Northfield swerved into another car, causing an explosion.
Daniel Hechtman, 54, ran to the truck and pulled a passenger from the truck. Ken Hechtman, 60, pulled a mother and her 10-year-old daughter from the car, which was under the truck. Both sustainted more serious injuries and burns.
“I heard the screaming and there was nothing else in my mind (but) to run toward the voices,” Ken Hechtman told the Chicago Tribune. “There was no time to think. It’s adrenaline. It’s all adrenaline.”
The Jewish brothers, who were uninjured, are co-owners of Ken’s Diner. They are being called heroes.
Ken Hechtman said he doesn’t consider himself a hero and that everything happened so fast.
“Everyone keeps talking about ‘Hero, hero, hero,’ ” he told the Tribune. “Now that I think about it, it was stupid. Who runs toward a flaming truck that’s exploding?”
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
