Senior Laboratory Assistant

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

7/15/2025

Special Act Award (Gold)

On the afternoon of August 28, 2023, Senior Laboratory Assistant Thomas Coyle was driving home from work when he stopped at a red light on Highway 16 at the corner of Grant Line Road in Sacramento County. He was behind a CHP officer when he witnessed a violent crash involving a garbage truck and several other vehicles. In the collision, a pickup truck went airborne and crashed into the middle of the road, bursting into flames on impact. Two other vehicles rolled off the road and slammed into a power pole, causing it to lean dangerously. The impact brought down power lines, sparking both a vehicle fire and a grass fire. The CHP officer moved to block the intersection, while Mr. Coyle safely pulled off to the side of the highway. Straightaway, he ran toward the wreckage to help. Several drivers had minor injuries, but the situation was far more critical for the drivers of the pickup truck and the garbage truck. The pickup truck driver was severely injured and barely conscious, with the fire closing in fast. Acting swiftly, Mr. Coyle pulled the driver from the burning pickup truck and dragged him to safety. Moments later, loud pops and explosions rang out as the fire had ignited ammunition inside the pickup truck, making the scene even more dangerous. At first, the greatly injured pickup driver was safe while awaiting paramedics, but the fire continued to grow dangerously close. The leaning power pole threatened to fall at any moment. Without hesitation, Mr. Coyle helped the pickup driver to his feet and moved him further away from the growing danger. Then, Mr. Coyle spotted another life in jeopardy—the garbage truck was also engulfed in flames, with the driver still trapped inside. He immediately alerted the CHP officer, and together they rushed to pull the driver from the burning garbage truck and moved him to safety. As fire personnel arrived, they urgently shouted, "Everybody get out of here! That pole is going to come down!" Without a second thought for his own safety, Mr. Coyle ran back again for a third time to help move the injured pickup truck driver to safety behind a local police vehicle. Through his incredible heroism and bravery, Mr. Coyle saved two lives that day. His selflessness and quick thinking in the face of extreme danger are a testament to the courage he displayed when others needed him most. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Senior Laboratory Assistant Thomas Coyle, for his extraordinary act of heroism extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty.