Medical Worker Lauded For His Off-Duty Aid At Fiery, I-580 Wreck

DUBLIN, CA — A physician assistant, Jason Elliot, was honored Wednesday by the California Highway Patrol in Dublin for his off-duty, life-saving assistance rescuing a woman critically injured in a perilous, fiery crash in August on Interstate 580 in Livermore.

Elliot received his Certificate of Commendation from Capt. Christopher Sherry, CHP Dublin area commander.

"Mr. Elliot was commended for his bravery, expertise, integrity, preparedness and commitment to public service," the agency said. "His actions were both heroic and honorable."

The multi-vehicle accident — a result of two separate, back-to-back crashes — was logged Aug. 17 at 2:47 a.m. on westbound I-580, east of North Livermore Avenue, officers said.

A female motorist initially crashed her Toyota Camry into a concrete wall. She got out of her car and was standing alongside it in the freeway's fast lane, when an oncoming Nissan Altima hit the Camry and the woman, the CHP said.

The impact knocked the female to the ground, while the Camry burst into flames, blanketing the accident scene with intense smoke and heat, according to the department.

"Upon their arrival, officers observed the unconscious woman, with major trauma, laying between the two vehicles, dangerously close to the burning vehicle," the CHP said.

CHP Officer Abel Moran and Sgt. Michael Thomas grabbed the woman’s arms and pulled her approximately 20 feet away from the burning vehicle. Elliot then stopped at the scene and offered to help.

"Mr. Elliot used his training and experience as a physician assistant to help with life-saving actions," the CHP said.

"I am humbly honored to have been recognized ... by Cpt. Sherry with the 'commander commendation' amongst the entire CHP - Dublin crew after their inspection," Elliot wrote on his Facebook page. "We do what we are called to do regardless of our call to duty. It was in the moment that all that were there relied on our skill and training to do what needed to be done."

The injured woman was taken to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley where she was expected to survive, while the driver of the Altima suffered minor injuries, officials said.

----------

ALSO SEE:

• Tri-Valley Teacher's Home Destroyed In Fire & Community Rallies
• Suspect Arrested After Domestic Disturbance Standoff In Pleasanton
• Pleasanton PD Seek ID Of Man Wanted In Connection With Bus Incident
• Devil Mountain Run Returns Sunday To Downtown Danville