Conservationist I

California Conservation Corps

1/19/2001

Special Service Award (Silver)

On January 19, 2001, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a vehicle swerved across three lanes of traffic and fishtailed into the shoulder closure striking Mark Balsi and Lori Garley. Ms. Garley suffered deep cuts and a broken right leg. Mr. Balsi's injuries were far more serious. His left leg was severed below the knee, the knuckles on his right hand were broken, and his left shoulder was broken. When Ms. Silvas realized what had happened, she sprang into action and told Corpsmember LaTycia Green to call 911. She immediately assessed the situation, began first aid, and called for blankets and a trauma box. Ms. Silvas attended to Ms. Garley first, and calmed her down. She then turned her attention to the more severely injured Mr. Balsi. When she discovered the severed leg was in the number four lane of the highway, she directed Caltrans Landscape Worker Juan Diaz and Corpsmember Michael Butler to retrieve the limb. She gave Mr. Balsi rescue breathing, placed a tourniquet on his leg using a belt, and wrapped a blanket and her arms around him to keep him from going into shock. Ms. Silvas continued to comfort and reassure Mr. Balsi by continually telling him he was "doing awesome". She cradled his head away from the sight of the blood that was pooling underneath him. An unidentified doctor from Stanford Hospital stopped at the site to render assistance. Both Caltrans employees were subsequently transported by ambulance to Stanford Hospital.