Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker

Department of Transportation

1/21/2020

Special Service Award (Silver)

On the morning of January 21, 2020, around 1:30 a.m., Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker William Miller was operating the cone truck as an “early warner” for a sweeping operation on Highway 267. The early warner serves as an advanced alert for approaching traffic. While Mr. Miller was parked on the southbound shoulder with his warning lights on and a sign indicating there was a sweeping crew ahead, he observed two vehicles approaching from the north. After the first vehicle passed by, Mr. Miller felt an impact from the second vehicle striking the rear of his truck. Although in shock, Mr. Miller was able to notify dispatch about the accident. Mr. Miller exited his truck and noticed both his truck and the vehicle were on fire. In response, he grabbed a fire extinguisher from his truck and attempted to extinguish the flames. A female driver exited the other vehicle, and Mr. Miller saw that she was stumbling and appeared dazed. As Mr. Miller approached the woman, he noticed she was faltering and standing in fuel that was leaking from the cone truck’s ruptured fuel tank. At this moment, flames fully engulfed both vehicles, and Mr. Miller quickly pulled the woman away from the burning vehicles to a safe distance, saving her from potential injuries. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Silver Medal of Valor to California Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance Worker William S. Miller for his act of heroism extending above and beyond the normal call of duty.