Officer

California Highway Patrol

12/9/1989

Special Act Award (Gold)

Officer Terry Wondzell was at the scene of a disabled 18 wheel tractor trailer when he watched an approaching truck skid off the pavement, strike another vehicle, hit an embankment and land upside down. Gasoline spilled out of the overturned truck and Officer Wondzell noticed that the driver had crawled out of the driver’s window with a child in her arms. Officer Wondzell retrieved an infant just as the gasoline ignited. The driver indicated that two more victims were still inside. Unable to reach the victims through the side windows because of the flames, Officer Wondzell entered the truck through the windshield. He was able to pull a woman and an infant to safety moments before flames engulfed the truck.