Newly Minted LA County Sheriff's Deputy Revives Man On 210 Freeway

PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — A man is in stable condition on Friday after being found at the scene of a car crash on Wednesday without a pulse by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy who was just two weeks into the job.

On Wednesday, Deputy Jason Flores, 23, was driving home from work at about 3:30 p.m. on the 210 Freeway in Pasadena when he came upon a vehicle that had crashed into the center divider.

Flores stopped to investigate the scene, finding the man who was driving to be unresponsive and locked inside the vehicle, the Sheriff's department said.

"It didn't even cross my mind to pass by this," Flores said, "Even if it was just a little fender bender."

Flores then forced entry into the car and found the man had no pulse. At that time, he removed the driver from the car, placing him on the ground and starting to administer CPR while also telling a passerby to call 911.

During the second round of CPR compressions, the driver -- a 60-year-old man -- regained a faint pulse and began breathing. Two off-duty nurses also stopped to assist.

California Highway Patrol and Rescue Personnel arrived shortly after to render medical aid and transport the driver to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries.

While the injured driver was transported to the hospital, his heart stopped twice, according to authorities, but both times EMS personnel were able to revive him. Once at the hospital, the driver was rushed into emergency surgery and on Friday was listed in stable condition.

Flores had only been a deputy for 12 days at the time of the incident. On Sept. 4, his grandfather, retired LASD Deputy Jimmy Jackson, gave him his pin at his academy graduation ceremony.

Jackson Friday told KCAL9's Brittney Hopper he was impressed by his grandson's quick thinking.

"To react the way he reacted. I'm so proud of him right now," Jackson said.

Today, Flores was recognized for his good work -- other deputies, CHP officers and the Sheriff said thank you.

"Meeting the sheriff for me is just huge. For him to say thank you it's just really reassuring and builds up your confidence a little bit more to want to help everybody and anybody that you can. And I know that's my job but it's just really satisfying," Flores said.

Hopper was told the victim remains in the hospital in stable condition but is expected to make a full recovery.