Emergency responders honored
A near minute-long applause on Tuesday lauded the emergency personnel who saved the life of a victim of an alleged DUI crash.
The Sutter County Board of Supervisors recognized six people for their roles in saving Megan Russell from vehicle that overturned into a water-filled canal on the morning of May 20.
Prior to introducing the personnel, Sutter County Fire Chief John Shalowitz said the 23-year-old mother was “clinically dead” upon removal from the vehicle.
“This is not the norm for us,” he said. “If it were not for the efforts for everybody involved in this rescue of Megan, she would not be here today.”
One of the personnel recognized, California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Klippel, said he was surprised to be commended by the board.
“It’s a great recognition, but it’s not something I go out looking for,” he said. “I was just trying to do my job. I am just glad that we were able to be at the right place at the right time.”
Sutter County Sheriff’s Deputy John Lopez, Sutter County Fire Battalion Chief Richard Epperson, Sutter County Fire Capt. Jeffery Hartman, Bi-County Ambulance paramedic Cameron Bumpus and Bi-County Ambulance emergency medical technician Yayun Zheng also received certificates of recognition.
Chuck Smith, the county’s public information officer, said the board wanted to take a moment to recognize the individuals involved in saving Russell’s life.
The certificates, Smith said, were meant to be keepsakes, as they contained photos of Russell and her daughter.
“In most cases, when someone has stopped breathing, the outcome is not this positive,” Smith said. “Training, perseverance, quick thinking counted. And the young woman’s desire to live. The community is grateful to have first responders of this caliber.”
Shalowitz presented a video to the audience of Russell thanking the personnel outside her home. The video was recorded days after Russell was released from the hospital.
The driver of the vehicle, Travis Stanton, is charged with felonies for causing injury to a person while driving under the influence and failing to render reasonable assistance to law enforcement or an injured person at the scene of the accident. Marysville office, 1530 Ellis Lake Drive Business hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.