Caltrans Transportation Engineer

Department of Transportation

5/4/2006

Special Act Award (Gold)

On May 4, 2006, Department of Transportation employees John Fitzgerald and Anand Kapoor were working near an intersection in the city of Visalia and witnessed a car run a red light and broadside an SUV. The SUV rolled several times and came to rest on its left side. The woman inside began screaming that she was trapped and smoke starting coming from the vehicle. Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Kapoor rushed to the vehicle and ripped the windshield out with their bare hands. They pulled the woman to safety and comforted her until the paramedics arrived. Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Kapoor suffered bruises and minor cuts to their hands and elbows. Without a thought for their own personal safety, both were able to rescue a trapped woman from a smoking vehicle saving her from further injury or death.