Resident Engineer

Department of Transportation

1/25/1975

Special Act Award (Gold)

On January 25, 1975, Bridge Engineer Chester Fields was driving to the work along Highway 174 near Colfax when he saw a cloud of dust drifting across the roadway. Mr. Fields knew the dust meant that a vehicle had failed to make the curve: he checked and saw skid marks leading to the edge of a steep embankment. Thirty feet below, a car that had rolled several times was now jammed up against a tree. Mr. Fields half fell, half plunged down the steep slope through the underbrush to get to the vehicle. Two boys were trapped in the front seat and three girls in the back seat. Both doors on the left were caved in and could not be opened; both doors on the right were inaccessible because of heavy brush and trees. But the windows were open. The engine compartment burst into flames. Mr. Fields began pulling the injured and stunned teenagers out the window. Mr. Fields moved quickly and in about two minutes all were out of the vehicle. The flames were licking towards the gas tank. Mr. Field moved the injured youngsters about fifty feet away from the brush, seeking safety at the side of the steep slope. Suddenly the car exploded, spewing flaming debris just as Mr. Field was laying the last of the five victims on the ground. Trees and brush caught fire as the flames were spreading. Fortunately, a passing motorist alerted the U. S. Forest Fire Unit and they arrived in time to control the flames. All five teenagers survived the fiery incident thanks to Mr. Chester Fields.