Caltrans Highway Equipment Operator

Department of Transportation

12/31/2005

Special Act Award (Gold)

At 3:00 a.m. on December 31, 2005, California Department of Transportation employee Chris Ball was operating a plow truck in the midst of a major winter storm. He was instructed to drive west in the east bound lanes to open a traffic lane after the first of four mud and rock slides occurred. Upon his arrival, he found the mud and rock was four to seven feet deep and created a lake over three feet deep in the center of the highway. While working to remove slide material, an additional larger slide came in, catching several vehicles in its path. The force of this slide pushed a delivery van across the west bound lanes into the east bound lanes along with the permanent center median rail. Mud was running over the hood of the van and debris rose up to the driver’s side window. A rock falling from the side of the mountain struck the van, blowing a hole through the side of the van about 18 inches in diameter. Fearing the imminent danger of additional rock and mudslides, officials gave the order to evacuate the area. Preparing to leave, Mr. Ball saw a man trapped inside the delivery van. He jumped over the median barrier and waded through the flowing mud and rock to the van. Finding the driver’s door was jammed, Mr. Ball pulled the trapped man through the driver’s window carrying him through the slide debris to safety. His actions prevented the man from further injury or death.