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IDOT Blog – Friday, September 8, 2023
Dobbs and Shanley Receive Secretary's Pin
Roadside Maintenance Manager Stephanie Dobbs and Bureau of Operations Maintenance Support Engineer Laura Shanley were awarded the Secretary’s Pin in August for their bravery and assistance at the scene of a crash in Logan County.
In mid-July, while traveling to perform field inspections, Dobbs and Shanley came upon a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 136 near Emden. Law enforcement and EMT personnel had not yet arrived.
Dobbs saw a man on the phone and asked him if there were injuries. The man replied that his three children in the van were injured and the man in the other vehicle was badly hurt. Shanley parked near the crash, turned on the vehicle’s strobe lights and proceeded to flag and warn oncoming traffic of the debris and disabled vehicle ahead.
Meanwhile, Dobbs found the second man unresponsive. She called to him and attempted to check his pulse. After calling to him several times, he opened his eyes, became more aware and told her that he was hurt, particularly his back. He began trying to move and lean forward. Dobbs was able to keep his shoulders in place and stop him from moving and potentially injuring himself further. She continued talking to him to keep him awake and alert to prevent shock and additional injury. With the help of a nearby resident who came to assist after hearing the crash, she also kept the deployed air bags away from his face so he could breathe.
Eventually EMS arrived and took over the medical response for the crash. He was then sent via Life Flight to Springfield for further care.
After recounting these events for ceremony attendees both in person and virtual, Secretary Omer Osman praised Dobbs and Shanley for their bravery and willingness to assist when needed.