At 1720-09/13/07, on a Thursday. I had an eventful day in Peoria,Il. I was returning from Peoria Bearing with the needed parts to continue repairs on a Mazak CNC Turning Center. I noticed traffic was slowed in the right lane due to an apparent fender bender. As I looked into the rear view mirror I spotted someone under the front passanger tire of a late model full size pickup truck. I stopped,got out of my van and ran to the seen. A 21 year old bicyclist was pinned with the tire across his mid section. It was apparent everyone was in shock and didn't know what to do. I yelled at a group of seven guys as they attempted to find a jack. As the victim struggled and screemed for help. I ordered them to help me lift the front end. After a few seconds my request was honored. As we lifted the vehical I yelled to a freaked out woman to get him out of there. She quickly responded to my request and was aided by another person. I then moved to the man to treat for shock, give support and check his vitals. I requested a blanket and a crowd member responded by covering him with his jacket. I then requested something to put under his head, a woman gave her coat. I calmed him and told him to lie still and relax. His pulse was rapid but strong. I kept my hand gently across his neck because he was in and out and attempted to get up several times, also to monitor his pulse. I informed the crowd he was just relaxing as he fadded in and out in what appeared to be a loosing battle for life. The crowd needed me as much as the victim. When the ambulence came I informed the unsuspecting paramedics that we had to pull him from under the wheel and that he was showing signes of lower back damage and to check for internal injuries. They went to work and asked my help to get a board on him. I told the crying,horrified man he was in good hands as we loaded him into the ambulence. I felt good for saving a life that day. The women who I ordered to pull him out said I hope we did the right thing. I said, Yes We Did, in a supportive tone. The trauma of being hit and dragged only to find yourself under the wheel of a truck has got to be the worst kind of accident thier is. Even thought my mind thought, let me park this vehical on your stomach and see how long it takes you to decide you had enought, I never said it.

The next day, I seen an artical in the paper were he was listed in serious condition at Saint Francis Medical Center. I thought it was sad how it didn't write about the horrific experiance this poor man indured. The paper said he recieved a couple tickets for causing the accident. The accident was listed in the "B" section.

I guess you have to have the right connections or be a convicted murderer to rate a good story.

I was shocked at the fact no one knew how to handle the situation and know if it were not for me, he would have died under the wheel of that truck.

I write this story because no one cared enough to and to salute the disorganized crowd of people that knew how to take orders that allowed us to save the life of a 21 year old man, pray for healing.

I also hope to get over my cold so I can see how the guy is doing. The only good that comes out of such situations is that people unite for a common good and act like civilized people. For a while, all selfish ambitions are set aside and that experiance is memorable.

Friday Morning Paper 09/14/07: Journal Star-pjstar.com

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