Neighbors: Tanker Driver A Family Man

SPRING HILL - Wednesday's fiery tanker truck explosion in Manatee County was keenly felt on a Spring Hill street 100 miles away.

Hornaway Avenue is a short stretch of road with about eight houses and dominated on one side by a grassy drainage retention area.

In one of those houses live the children of the driver of that crash, Raymond Neumann, 54, who crawled away from the inferno with burns over 90 percent of his body, officials say.

In the other houses are Neumann's friends, who were heartbroken over the tragedy.

"He is an absolutely great guy," said David Cavalier, who lives directly next door. "He would do anything to help you out."

A man who answered the door at Neumann's address didn't want to talk with a reporter. The last time most of the neighbors saw him, Neumann was mowing the law in preparation for his son's high school graduation party. He also has a younger son in middle school and a young daughter.

Court records show Neumann and his wife separated in 2003, but neighbors say he was always over at his ex-wife's house helping her out.

Jennifer Selzer heard the news about the crash first, but had no idea that Neumann was involved. Then she got a call from his ex-wife.

"It's heartbreaking," said Jennifer Selzer, who's known Neumann for more than 5 years. "He's a phenomenal father."