The students, who are enrolled in firefighter, EMT, and criminal justice programs, were driving to class when they saw the aftermath of the wreck near state Route 142. A semi-truck had hit a guardrail, veered off the highway, and landed in a ditch.
Providing Immediate Aid
“There were no fire personnel, no professionals there, so we decided to stop,” said Dylan Shields, a firefighter and EMS student at Tolles.
The group rushed to assist the driver, assess his condition, and provide basic care until professional emergency responders arrived.
“We tried to talk to him, make sure he was OK,” added Seth French, who is also a firefighter and EMS student.
Luke Self, a criminal justice student who also works as a lifeguard, quickly retrieved his emergency supplies. “I ran back because my lifeguard pack was in there for my job, so I grabbed that in case we needed CPR. We had masks, gloves and gauss and all of that,” he explained.
Once first responders were on the scene, the students remained, assisting with moving the injured driver onto a backboard and into the ambulance. EMT student Logan Faulkner described how firefighters involved them in the emergency response: “They really went out of their way to teach us what to do in the moment.”
Confirming Career Goals
Authorities reported that the driver was in critical condition but is expected to survive. For the four students, all of whom are set to graduate in May, the experience solidified their commitment to their chosen careers.
“To know it was real and someone’s life was actually in my hands — I’m glad I was able to help,” said Self.
The incident reminded the future first responders why they chose this path. “We know it’s the right thing to do,” said Shields. “If it was someone we knew, we’d want someone to stop — so treat others the way you want to be treated.”