Caltrans Equipment Operator II

Department of Transportation

5/26/2022

Special Act Award (Gold)

While returning to the Caltrans Boulevard Maintenance Station around 11:30 a.m. on May 26, 2022, Caltrans employee Desok Urbeck had an accident involving a cargo truck and pull broom and ended up at the bottom of a ravine in the center median of Interstate 8. Caltrans Equipment Operator II Roberto Lopez was following behind Mr. Urbeck and witnessed the accident. The truck and pull broom immediately caught fire. Without hesitation, Mr. Lopez rushed down the ravine to help. Mr. Urbeck was trapped inside the truck with both doors jammed. Surrounded by smoke and flames, Mr. Lopez was finally able to pull Mr. Urbeck out of the truck through the driver’s side window. Together, they crawled over rocks and boulders to a safe distance away from the fire as the truck became fully engulfed directly behind them. Mr. Lopez then relentlessly continued to crawl and climb while pulling Mr. Urbeck to safety up the ravine. They finally reached the top with the help of two unknown individuals for the last few feet. Mr. Lopez remained with Mr. Urbeck until emergency personnel arrived. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to California Department of Transportation Equipment Operator II Roberto Lopez for his extraordinary act of heroism extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty.