PENSACOLA, FLORIDA — A Pensacola tow truck driver is being recognized by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Transportation after his quick thinking helped stop a wrong-way driver on Interstate 10 and prevent what could have been a fatal head-on collision.

At around 10:30 p.m. on February 18, a wrong-way driver system alert was issued after CCTV footage verified a vehicle traveling the wrong way on I-10 in Pensacola. Law enforcement was immediately alerted. James Barlow, a tow truck driver with Secon Recovery & Towing out of Pensacola who was on a routine shift in the area, took matters into his own hands by positioning his truck to block the wrong-way driver.

The driver initially stopped and turned around, but then reversed course and began driving the wrong way again. Barlow once again blocked the vehicle and held his position until Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrived on scene.

"Wrong way driving incidents are among the most dangerous events encountered on our roadway system, often resulting in severe or fatal crashes due to high-speed, head-on impacts," the Florida Department of Transportation said in a release. "James' awareness, quick thinking, and willingness to place himself between danger and the traveling public exemplify the critical partnership between roadway responders and traffic operations personnel."

The Florida Department of Transportation's Traffic Incident Management Team and FHP's Troop A officially recognized Barlow for his "bravery, professionalism and life-saving actions."

No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

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