LaGrange, Ga. (Aug. 1, 2025)— Piedmont Columbus Regional has named community member Zion Reed the organization’s First Friday Hero for the month of August.

A woman driving on Highway 27 near the Bryant Lake subdivision entrance began having a seizure. In distress and unable to control the car, it veered onto the wrong side of the road— causing a potentially catastrophic situation.

Reed sprinted toward the still-moving car without hesitation, flung open the driver’s door, dove into the car headfirst and hit the brake. All this took place while the driver was still convulsing and vomiting.

His quick thinking and heroic actions stopped the car just in time as a dump truck was headed right towards the car. What could have been a deadly accident ended in lives being saved. We would also like to thank Drew Garner for his assistance in caring for the woman after Reed stopped the car. First responders soon arrived and transported the woman to the hospital, where she was treated and released.

A ceremony with Reed and hospital leadership will be held at a later date to commend him for his response. His story is also featured throughout the hospital on commemorative posters and Piedmont Columbus Regional’s social media pages

Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in 2016 to recognize first responders and everyday heroes each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

“We want to make the community aware of what our local heroes, like Zion Reed, do to make the Chattahoochee Valley a safer place,” said Piedmont Columbus Regional CEO Scott Hill.