HIGH SCHOOL

Salpointe football player aids family on interstate

DL Justin Holt pulled three family members out of wreckage along the interstate while traveling to visit family and attend UCLA on a recruiting trip.

Richard Obert
azcentral sports
A family spent Thanksgiving Day grateful for the heroic efforts of Tucson Salpointe Catholic junior defensive lineman Justin Holt being there to help them in their time of need.

A family spent Thanksgiving Day grateful for the heroic efforts of Tucson Salpointe Catholic junior defensive lineman Justin Holt being there to help them in their time of need.

On Wednesday, on their way to visit family in Southern California and to take an unofficial football recruiting trip to UCLA, Julius Holt and his son witnessed on Interstate 8 an Expedition, pulling a 29-foot trailer, overturn.

"Without hesitation my Justin jumped out of our vehicle and ran to pull the three people out to safety with the aid of others and myself," Julius posted to me on my Facebook page with photos of the overturned trailer. "He showed courage, poise, concern and strength, supporting the grandmother, the last person in the vehicle until she was ready to be pulled from the wreckage.

"The grandmother put her arms around Justin's neck and he lifted her to safety. God is good because all three passengers were fine with a few minor injuries. The mother, son and grandmother praised Justin for this heroic act. Be blessed and safe this holiday season everyone. Very proud of our son."

Holt, 6-foot-2, 290 pounds, is one of the more coveted 2016 football players in the state. He had 61 unassisted tackles, 53 assisted and three sacks last season.

"I was just surprised to see such a bad wreck, so I just wanted to make sure those people were all right," Justin Holt said.

Justin Holt already has a scholarship offer from the University of Arizona, where his father played football.

"I think it's great that any young kid would go out and want to help others in desperate need. He put others ahead of himself," Salpointe coach Dennis Bene said.