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Jason Lofton

Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker

Department of Transportation

12/19/2021

Special Service Award (Silver)

Jason  Lofton
During the night of December 19, 2021, Caltrans Landscape Maintenance Workers Jason Lofton and Brian Rubalcava were checking for rocks in the roadway, guardrail damage and downed signs following a winter storm. Around 11:30 p.m., while traveling on State Route 263, they noticed what appeared to be tire tracks leading off the roadway and stopped to investigate. Mr. Lofton saw vehicle lights down the side of the embankment and heard someone calling for help. He went over the steep embankment to investigate while Mr. Rubalcava turned on their truck’s flashers and radioed dispatch. Mr. Lofton located a man in a large bush below the vehicle and a woman hanging on to the door of the vehicle, both freezing and in pain from what appeared to be major injuries. Mr. Lofton and Mr. Rubalcava removed their jackets and covered the victims in an effort to keep them warm. Among the blood, gas and debris from the wreckage, Mr. Lofton and Mr. Rubalcava provided aid to the victims until emergency personnel arrived. Mr. Rubalcava then began removing brush, loose rocks and material so emergency crews could maneuver down the embankment. Due to extremely cold temperatures, the remote location of the incident and serious injuries, both victims would likely not have survived had it not been for Mr. Lofton and Mr. Rubalcava’s situational awareness, attentiveness and selfless actions performed at personal risk to their safety. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Silver Medal of Valor to California Department of Transportation CalTrans Landscape Maintenance Worker Jason Lofton for his act of heroism extending above and beyond the normal call of duty.