NEWINGTON - On the one-year anniversary of a serious accident that claimed the lives of two of his family members, survivor Hugh Storey got the opportunity to meet and thank some of the Newington first responders who helped save his life.

       Storey, a New Britain resident, met at the Newington Fire Station #3 Jan. 19 with some of the responders, including the two police officers and firefighters who pulled him out of the van, which ignited in flames after it was hit by an intoxicated driver, according to police.

       â€�"My family and I have not forgotten how courageous and brave the people of the community, the police, firefighters and volunteers of Station #3 [were that night],” said Storey’s daughter, Karleshia Evans, whose mother, Sonia Evans, 56, and cousin, Theresa Gunn, 43, were killed in the accident. â€�"We can’t thank them enough, though we thought the least we could do was allow our dad to meet his heroes face-to-face and buy them dinner to let them know we appreciate what they did.”

       Evans credited the emergency responders’ quick reaction to her father’s survival, though he suffered extensive injuries, including broken bones, ruptured organs, a heart attack, two strokes and a brain injury.

       She remembered her mother as a special woman â€�"who loved unconditionally” and gave everything she could to those around her and her family, especially her beloved grandchildren.

       â€�"Losing her is like losing our everything,” she said. â€�"I have to believe that God knew [she] would be better with Him.”

       Evans’ cousin, Theresa, fought bravely before succumbing to her injuries from the crash.

       â€�"Theresa, you put up a fight for as long as you could. You held on until you saw everybody you wanted to see; you couldn’t respond, but I believe you heard everything and every prayer…You are also loved and truly missed.”

       Evans said Storey now considers the members of Newington Fire House #3 family.

       â€�"From my family to our newly-gained family, a good day is not measured by hours or minutes, but by all the good things done within it,” she said. â€�"All of you firefighters, first responders and the community that came out, you are all appreciated more than you know. I hope all the good you do every day comes back to you.”