NEW YORK — On May 14, 1988, school bus passenger Harold Dennis was the victim of a drunk driving-related crash that resulted in the death of 27 people and left his face permanently disfigured. The Phoenix, a film based on his life that is currently in pre-production, will explore the path that his life has taken since that fatal night 20 years ago.

Dennis did not let the accident stop him from reaching for everything he wanted in life, including marrying the girl of dreams, playing college football at the University of Kentucky and becoming an inspirational figure in his community and to the number of people that his story has touched.

Written by friend and University of Kentucky Professor Dan Smith, the film has found backing from Montel Williams and his company Montel Media Group. Williams discovered the project after Dennis' story was showcased during the show’s final season.

Jason Epperson, the runner-up from Steven Spielberg’s 2007 filmmaker reality series On The Lot, will direct the film.