DCSO sergeant earns salute for post-crash rescue

Pulls male out of way, about to be crushed by another vehicle

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office offered a public salute to a sergeant who quickly came to the aid of a fallen passenger after a crash Wednesday on Tumalo Road, likely preventing a serious injury from another crash.

Sgt. James McLaughlin was helping with traffic control after the multiple-vehicle crash on Tumalo Road near Swalley Road when a pickup began sliding down the grade toward another stuck vehicle.

A passenger from the stuck vehicle had gotten out and realized the truck was sliding toward him, deputies said. He tried to run, but fell down on the road.

McLaughlin ran between the two vehicles, "at risk to himself," and took hold of the person by the armpits, as the male was under the truck "and about to be crushed," according to a sheriff's office posting on Facebook,

McLaughlin was able to pull him free seconds before the two vehicles collided, deputies said. No one was injured.

"We are thankful one of our sergeants was in the right place at the right time to prevent a tragedy," the posting concluded.