A 12-year-old boy from Oklahoma is being celebrated for his bravery after saving three others when the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) he was driving suddenly caught fire, authorities said.
On the morning of Oct. 27, Roman Goodnight was driving an ATV carrying his brother, sister, and a family friend to their usual bus stop in Coweta, Oklahoma, when the vehicle erupted in flames, according to the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook.
“Despite the driver of the ATV being only 12 years old and recovering from a broken foot, his instinct and courage took over… He began shouting for everyone to get out,” the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities explained that Roman rushed to the back of the burning vehicle to help a 6-year-old girl — later identified as a family friend — who was struggling to open the door.
In an interview with CBS affiliate KOTV, Roman described the intense moment.
“I had to crawl through it to the back, to open the door, open for her and to get her out,” he said. “It was really hard to get her out because her bag was stuck on the thing.”
Once everyone was outside, Roman yelled for the kids to move away from the vehicle. His brother and the family friend ran toward a nearby barn, but his sister froze near the rear of the ATV — the area housing the fuel tank and engine.
“Without hesitation, he ran back toward the flames and urged her to run to safety inside their farmhand’s home,” the sheriff’s office noted.
Only after ensuring the others were safe did Roman leave the scene himself. Moments later, “explosions began near the burning vehicle,” officials said.
“Roman’s quick thinking and selfless actions ensured that every child made it out safely before the ATV was fully engulfed,” the statement read. “His bravery and composure under extreme pressure prevented what could have been a devastating tragedy.”
This wasn’t the first time Roman had saved a life. Three years earlier, at age 9, he pulled his younger brother from a swimming pool after the boy accidentally fell in during a family gathering.
“Roman’s heroic instincts, calm under pressure, and unwavering concern for others’ safety are remarkable for someone his age,” officials said. “His actions on October 27, 2025, serve as a powerful example of bravery, compassion, and leadership — a true reflection of his character.”
Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott also praised Roman’s courage, highlighting his maturity and calmness during the ordeal.
“We are incredibly proud of him and thankful for the safe outcome of that morning,” Elliott said. “His actions will not be forgotten, and he stands as a true example of what it means to be a hero.”
After the fire was extinguished, Roman said the reality of what he’d done finally sank in.
“I felt really, really proud of myself for getting everyone out and getting them to safety and inside the house,” he told KOTV.
