Caltrans Highway Maintenance Lead Worker

Department of Transportation

6/24/2010

Special Act Award (Gold)

On June 24, 2010, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Caltrans employees Arthur Grijalva, Tommy Neri, Pedro Vasquez, Pablo Diaz, and Leonardo Necochea were travelling on Interstate 8 in the Jacumba area of San Diego County when they came upon an accident. A van had overturned in the median and landed upright on its wheels starting a small brush fire. Mr. Neri and Mr. Necochea rushed to the vehicle and found an unconscious woman in the driver’s seat. Mr. Diaz and Mr. Vasquez quickly began attempts to extinguish the fire. In an effort to prevent additional traffic collisions, Mr. Grijalva began directing traffic. While Mr. Neri and Mr. Necochea were administering first aid, they noticed the fire was getting out of control and approaching the vehicle. With the help of Mr. Diaz and Mr. Vasquez, they rigged a backboard from a portion of the wrecked vehicle, cut the woman’s seatbelt, placed her on the backboard, and safely removed her from the vehicle to a secure location. Within minutes after removing the woman, the vehicle went up in flames. Mr. Neri and Mr. Necochea stayed with the woman and provided additional first aid while the others began assisting Mr. Grijalva with traffic control until help arrived. The actions of the Caltrans employees, without regard for their own safety, saved the woman’s life. The State of California takes great pride in presenting Arthur Grijalva this Silver Medal of Valor, and Tommy Neri, Pablo Diaz, Leonardo Necochea, and Pedro Vasquez these Gold Medals of Valor, for their extraordinary acts of heroism extending far above and beyond the call of duty.