Caltrans Equipment Operator II

Department of Transportation

6/22/2015

Special Service Award (Silver)

On June 22, 2015, at approximately 9:53 a.m., California Department of Transportation Equipment Operator II Mark E. Johnson was driving a skip loader tractor along the Antelope Valley Freeway near Agua Dulce when he felt a strong jolt from the back of his tractor and realized he had just been rear-ended. Mr. Johnson shut his vehicle down and when he turned to assess the impact, he saw the car that hit him was on fire and filled with black smoke. The driver was struggling to escape the burning vehicle, but the car was badly damaged and the door was jammed. Without hesitation, Mr. Johnson ran to the flaming car and pried the door open with his bare hands. He then led the dazed driver, a pregnant woman who had fallen asleep at the wheel, away from the burning vehicle. After confirming she was safe, Mr. Johnson turned his attention to the grass fire started by the flame-engulfed car. Using a shovel, he started to extinguish the fire before additional emergency personnel arrived. Both Mr. Johnson and the driver were transported to the hospital for observation.