Firefighter Honored for Tackling Man Man Intent on Running onto I-5

Orange County Sheriff’s officials bestowed today an honor onto an Orange County firefighter for physically stopping a man from running into oncoming freeway traffic near Crown Valley Parkway earlier this year.

Capt. Brian Schmutz and command staff from the sheriff’s department presented firefighter and paramedic Mike Curtis a life saving award.

On May 31, a Good Samaritan flagged down a fire engine as crew members were returning to their station near The Shops, informing them of an agitated man who was going in and out of traffic near Coco’s just east of the I-5.

Deputies arrived on scene and the man, yelling at passing motorists, darted for the bridge. He jumped onto the freeway, only to land on ice plant, officials said at the time.

“Curtis tackled the patient just before he reached the traffic lanes of the freeway. He certainly saved the man’s life and possibly prevented a major traffic accident on the freeway,” said Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority.

PHOTO Courtesy the Orange County Fire Authority.