Set painter Tim Hunley was awarded recognition from the IATSE 491 crew union and will receive the Carnegie Medal of Heroism.

WILMINGTON – A local film crew member was recognized Monday for saving a woman’s life after witnessing a fiery crash in South Carolina in 2018.

In the mill shop of Hulu’s upcoming series “Reprisal” on the EUE/Screen Gems Studios lot, Tim Hunley was presented an award from the film crew IATSE 491, a local recognition in addition to the Carnegie Medal for Heroism he will receive for the rescue. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, named for Andrew Carnegie, recognizes civilians who perform acts of heroism.

Hunley, a set painter in the local film industry, was traveling back from a film job in Savannah on March 29, 2018 when he saw a semi-tractor trailer pulling a motorhome blow a tire and crash in the wooded median on the highway near Waterboro, S.C.

Hunley stopped to rush to the aid of those in the vehicle, which had caught fire after hitting several trees. He managed to pull Silvia Valladares from the cab, but the driver died in the crash.

Valladares was treated for severe burns, while Hunley suffered minor burns to his arms in the rescue.

While speaking to his fellow crew and union members on Monday, Hunley said the tragic incident makes you take stock of what’s important.

“When this happened to me, it makes you realize and makes you think about family and how important they are to you,” he said.

Hunley and his wife, Susan, traveled to meet Valladares in South Carolina last Memorial Day.

Hunley, who is a native Wilmingtonian, has worked in the film industry for 20 years. Since the incident, he has found work here on "Swamp Thing" and "Reprisal."

But he said he was only on the highway because he was returning home from having to work out of state because projects locally were limited. During his remarks, he asked local representatives in attendance to help make sure local crew members didn’t have to leave Wilmington to make a living.

“Being home with family means a lot, so if we can, let’s keep the jobs here, keep everyone at home with their families and keep Wilmington going strong,” Hunley said.

Several local officials and representatives also spoke about the issue of film at Monday’s ceremony, including New Hanover County Commissioner Rob Zapple; Rep. Ted Davis, D-New Hanover; and Sen. Harper Peterson, D-New Hanover.

All three men spoke about their efforts to secure more support locally and at the state level for the film industry. Davis concluded his remarks with a direct thank you to Hunley.

“You are a prime example of why I am willing to go to bat for this industry,” he said.

Reporter Hunter Ingram can be reached at 910-343-2327 or Hunter.Ingram@StarNewsOnline.com.