Airman assists woman in vehicle accident

Published Nov. 17, 2011
By Scott King
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- On Oct. 15, a Fairchild Airman used his self aid buddy care training and the knowledge he gained at a "Street Smart" presentation just a few days prior to help aid a victim of a vehicle accident.

It was about 2:30 in the morning and Airman 1st Class Devin Perez, 92nd Operations Group intelligence analyst, was driving home with his wife when they came upon the scene.

"I was in the passenger seat when my wife, Kelsay, stopped at an intersection red light in downtown Spokane," Perez said. "In front of us was a car in the middle of the intersection, stationary with its front end crushed in and the bumper several yards away in the road. I jumped out of the car and ran over to the accident. There was another bystander that helped me push the vehicle off the road while I directed the driver to steer then pull the emergency break."

After that, Perez ran to the driver's side of the vehicle and assessed if the he was ok. He was coherent and from what he assessed, had bruised his sternum on the steering wheel. He then turned his attention to the passenger, who wasn't moving and told a bystander to call 911.

"I then opened the door and looked over the woman, who was conscious, but moving very little," Perez said. "I told her everything was going to be ok, that help was on the way, and that I was going to ask her a few questions that I needed her to answer. I asked for her name and what day it was - she answered correctly. She said she was in a lot of pain and that her leg and hip were hurting a lot."

Perez had assessed that it wouldn't be beneficial to move her, as there wasn't any apparent danger from the vehicle, and he didn't want to risk aggravating any potential internal injury. He explained this to her and asked if he could check her pulse for any irregularities. Finding none, he continued to talk to her and ask her questions while waiting for the paramedics to arrive.

It's at this point that another first responder approached the scene.

"Another person approached us and told me we had to move her out of the vehicle and told me he observed leaking fuel," Perez said. "I explained the woman's condition and that is wasn't necessary to move her but he proclaimed he was an Army military policeman and insisted she be taken from the vehicle. I checked the engine for leaking fluid or a fuel aroma, found nothing and assessed she wasn't in any danger so I reiterated that she stay in the vehicle until help arrived and directed the Army MP away from the scene. I had remembered through SABC and the "Street Smart" presentation not to move a victim unless it was absolutely necessary as not to cause any more or aggravate any existing injuries."

The firefighters then arrived and Perez told them about the woman's condition and what he observed. He had a brief discussion with a police officer and was cleared to leave the scene. At that time, he saw the second vehicle and overheard the driver stating she had fallen asleep.

"As soon as I saw that crumbled car I realized someone needed help, and before I knew it I was out the door," he said. "Now, I feel good that I could have prevented someone causing a serious injury to her. If that was to happen a thousand times over I would react the same way every time - I'm glad that I had the training and knowledge to help out."