Caltrans Maintenance Worker

Department of Transportation

11/5/2010

Special Service Award (Silver)

On November 5, 2010, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Caltrans Equipment Operator II Stephen T. Elias and Caltrans Maintenance Worker Gregory K. Englund were travelling to the Truckee Maintenance Station on Interstate 80. Near the Boreal exit, the truck in front of them suddenly veered sideways, flipped over and rolled three times until coming to rest on its passenger side on the freeway shoulder. The passenger was partially ejected and his head and neck were pinned between the ground and the roof of the truck. Mr. Elias was driving the Caltrans vehicle; he pulled over and called in the accident while Mr. Englund put flares around the area. Mr. Elias placed the vehicle in position to protect the accident scene and set up an arrow board to direct traffic. Mr. Elias and Mr. Englund then ran to assist the seriously injured victim. Mr. Englund and Mr. Elias managed to lift the truck bed up, allowing the victim to breathe and regain consciousness. Two CHP Officers arrived on the scene along with two others who witnessed the accident. Between the six men they kept the victim alive by holding the truck up and off his head and neck for approximately 15 minutes. The Fire Rescue arrived with blocking devices to stabilize the truck, however, the men had to continue holding the truck bed up as the truck was slipping off the blocks while rescue personnel tried to remove the victim. The victim was ultimately extricated with the Jaws of Life, transported by helicopter to a hospital and has since made a full recovery.