Above the Call

While training, ISU members rush to aid of car crash victim

Smashed car sits in field.
While training off-site, DVI's ISU team witnessed an accident on I-5 and rushed to assist.


By Lt. Christene Zoucha

Off-site training for the Deuel Vocational Institution Investigative Services Unit (ISU) turned into a real-world scenario when they spotted a car flipping end-over-end off the freeway.

On Sept. 2, 2018, at 8:45 a.m., ISU staff heard the sound of screeching tires coming from the nearby Interstate 5 to 205 exchange. Officers looked to see a small passenger vehicle come off the highway flipping front over end and then rolling approximately five times before coming to a stop not far from their location.

ISU officers instinctively and immediately ran to the scene to render aid to the victim in the vehicle.

Lt. Kenny Jimenez called 911 and reported the accident while Sgt. Carl Enos assisted Anna, the 22-year-old victim, by trying to keep her calm and assure her help was on the way. Anna was bleeding from the mouth, but otherwise appeared to be uninjured. ISU officers escorted Anna to the vehicle belonging to Officer Robert Willox where she was able to sit and wait for EMS to arrive at the scene to do a full assessment. ISU staff then searched the vehicle for any other possible victims.

While speaking with Anna, ISU staff members learned that she had been forced off the road by a vehicle that was now pulled over to the side of the freeway. At the direction of Sgt. Jose Abarca, Officers Michael Krohn, Pedro Ramirez and John Marquez ran up the embankment and made contact with the alleged suspect. The officers requested that he remain at the scene while waiting for local California Highway Patrol to respond. ISU remained at the scene until it was cleared by the CHP.

An ambulance, sheriff's car and crashed car, along with first-responders in uniform.
The ISU team stayed until the accident was cleared.