Caltrans Equipment Operator II

Department of Transportation

5/1/2001

Special Act Award (Gold)

On May 1, 2001, at approximately 11:40 a.m., Caltrans Equipment Operator II Victor Guerrero and Maintenance Leadworker Daniel Santacruz were cleaning a freeway drain on the right shoulder of the South Bound 405 freeway near Huntington Beach. Following established safety procedures, they closed the shoulder and used a shadow vehicle for protection when suddenly a vehicle hit the back of their shadow vehicle and burst into flames. Mr. Guerrero and Mr. Santacruz immediately approached the burning car and saw a semi-conscious driver with severe injuries. The driver was making no attempt to escape the burning vehicle. With traffic flowing just a few feet away and the vehicle quickly becoming engulfed in flames, Mr. Guerrero and Mr. Santacruz forced the door open, moved inside the smoke-filled cabin, removed the seat belt from the driver, and pulled the person to safety. Soon afterwards, fire trucks, CHP, and other first responders arrived and began treating the critically injured driver.