What is a Range Hero Published Aug. 30, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Many people wonder if they would have the mental and moral courage to react in a brave manner if ever faced with a dangerous or hostile situation. One 98th Range Wing truck driver doesn't have to wonder anymore. On the morning of May 4, Juan Trillo, a contractor with the 98th Range Wing Support Services Group, demonstrated the true definition of the word courage when he ignored personal danger and placed his own life in jeopardy to aid the life of another. In Mr. Trillo's career driving as a heavy truck driver for the 98th Range Wing, he has safely driven more than 200,000 miles across Nevada while transporting more than 2 million pounds of cargo, a feat that few can claim. One of the more serious challenges driving in Nevada is the roadway itself; predominately two-lane highways with posted speed limits of 70 mph. Many drivers often exceed this speed, causing dangerous situations when passing and one of the most deadly vehicle mishaps; a head-on collision. These facts provide the background on Mr. Trillo's courageous act. The day started out like many other days for Mr. Trillo. He traveled from Creech Air Force Base to Tonopah, a 440 mile roundtrip excursion and full day's work, delivering construction equipment. On his return trip home, he was approximately 90 miles from his final destination when he came upon three vehicles that had collided in the lane ahead of him. He safely slowed his truck, and as he approached the vehicles, he saw that one of the vehicles, a pickup truck, had caught fire in the engine compartment. "I arrived to the scene just after the accident happened, and I was thinking 'this looks pretty bad, I hope everyone is ok," Mr. Trillo recalled. "It was then that I noticed the driver of the truck was still in his vehicle, and I didn't think anymore, I just jumped out of my semi and ran to help out the injured driver." Upon seeing his actions and the inherent danger that the vehicle posed to its passenger, two other men assisted Mr. Trillo in the life-saving effort. They found the truck's doors were crushed by the impact and were wedged shut. The three men worked to pull the injured person through the window of the wrecked vehicle -- no easy task considering the injured driver weighed more than 250 pounds and was disoriented and upset. After dislodging the driver, the rescue party carried the wounded individual another 50 feet to where a trained medical technician was waiting to treat the injured man. The man who Mr. Trillo pulled out of the vehicle had sustained serious head injuries and was later airlifted to the University Medical Center by Mercy Air, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol accident summary. "As soon as I saw that everyone was safe and the emergency personnel were there, I went back to my truck and left for my next stop," Mr. Trillo said. But his actions didn't go unnoticed. "It took great courage for these men to take the steps they did," said Lieutenant Frank Jarvis of Nye County Sherriff's Office who arrived on the scene as the events were unfolding. Mr. Trillo later received the Lightning Bolt Award, which was presented in recognition for his actions in saving the life of another in the face of grave personal danger, as well as receiving the 98th Range wing coin from Col. Christopher Haave, who at the time was the commander of the 98th Range Wing, which oversees the Nellis Test and Training Range. "Mr. Trillo's actions certainly spared the victim from more serious injuries and probably even saved his life," said Lori Finch Administrative Assistant with the 98th Range Support Services Group. But, don't bother asking Mr. Trillo about his encounter. He modestly said that "I only did what any one else would do." Contrary to what Mr. Trillo says, there were many bystanders at the scene who watched, but did not assist. "My coworkers of course say that I was a hero, but really I was just there at the right time to help someone who needed it," Mr. Trillo said.
