Lt. Scott Glupker is one of the newest members of the Leighton Township Fire Department, but he’s already making an impact and proving his mettle.

Outgoing Fire Chief Tony Banas spoke glowingly of Glupker Thursday night at the Leighton Township Board meeting because of a letter he received from a traffic accident victim on U.S.-131 June 15. The victim, who hails from Kokomo, Ind., was traveling with his family on the expressway when his vehicle was struck from behind just south of the Dorr exit.

The motorist said he only knew the firefighter’s first name was Scott, who not only helped the victims at the accident scene, but also used his own vehicle on his own time to take them to a hotel where they planned to stay in Grand Rapids that night.

“He went out of his way to help us on his own time,” the victim motorist wrote.

Banas, after reading the letter, said, “That’s the kind of firemen Leighton Township has. I am very proud.”

Glupker also received praise from a colleague in the audience who reported he provided invaluable assistance recently on the Paul Henry Freeway (M-6) when an erratic motorist suffered a diabetic crisis. Glupker helped load the man into an ambulance and made arrangements to make certain his car was returned to his home while he was hospitalized.