While Deputy Jason Flores was on his way home from work Wednesday, Sept. 16, at approximately 3:30 p.m., he came upon a vehicle that had crashed into the center divider on the eastbound 210 freeway in Pasadena. The male adult driver was unresponsive inside the locked vehicle, prompting the deputy and another passerby to spring into action as they risked their own lives by stopping on the busy freeway.
Deputy Flores forced entry into the vehicle and unlocked a door so he could make contact with the driver. As he attempted to wake the driver of the vehicle, Deputy Flores realized the driver was not breathing and did not have a pulse. They carefully removed the driver from the vehicle and placed him on the ground. Deputy Flores instructed the passerby to call 9-1-1 and request medical assistance, while he started to perform Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
During the second round of CPR compressions, the driver gasped for air and had a faint pulse. Two off-duty nurses also stopped to assist with the driver’s medical emergency.
California Highway Patrol and Rescue Personnel arrived shortly thereafter to render medical aid and transport the driver to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries.
It was reported while the injured driver was being transported to the hospital his heart stopped twice, each time he was revived by Emergency Medical Services personnel. Once at the hospital, the driver was rushed into emergency surgery, and is currently listed in stable condition.
Deputy Flores learned some basic CPR training through his family since his mother was involved in foster care, but he credits the majority of his life-saving skills and techniques to the Sheriff’s Academy Recruit Training Program.
Deputy Jason Flores recently had his badge pinned on him by his grandfather, retired LASD Deputy Jimmy Jackson, at his academy graduation ceremony on Sept. 4, 2015.
