Two CDCR staff save driver having seizure

April 25, 2025

From left are acting Warden Jerry Ourique, Sgt. Eric Saldivar, Officer Andreana Ruiz, and acting Chief Deputy Warden Steve Marsh.

Two CDCR transportation staff, flagged down by pedestrians, saved a driver having a seizure.

On March 18, CDCR Coalinga State Hospital Transportation Sgt. E. Saldivar and Officer A. Ruiz had just completed a patient transfer from Coalinga to Patton State Hospital. Since it was 12:30 p.m., they decided to stop for lunch when they heard a commotion.

At this point, several pedestrians approached them saying there had been a car accident. Saldivar and Ruiz responded to the scene and found a vehicle crashed into a parked unoccupied vehicle. The driver appeared to be having a seizure.

They found the car doors locked and the driver was actively seizing. Her foot continued pressing on the gas pedal during her seizure.

Meanwhile, two off-duty nurses arrived to provide medical assistance. Saldivar then broke the rear window and unlocked the doors. Placing the vehicle into park, the nurses then took over and began helping the driver.

Saldivar and Ruiz remained on scene, until police and paramedics arrived.

To honor their selfless acts, Pleasant Valley State Prison named them employees of the month.

Submitted by Lt. Brian O’Daniels
Pleasant Valley State Prison

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.