Dear Editor;
Two weeks ago, my wife and I were driving a fully-loaded pickup truck from Atlanta to Tucson to start my new job at the University of Arizona. On I-10 east of Van Horn, one of the tires blew out, we lost control, left the road, and we wound up rolling over three times and landing on the roof.
`Once each of us realized that the other was basically okay, we started to get scared. We were trapped inside, upside down, with no cellphone coverage, and were worried that the wreck might catch fire. Luckily, two passersby, (Wesley Gosdin of Abilene and Robert Pulatie of San Saba), saw us roll off the road, and immediately stopped and climbed down to us. They were able to get a door open so we crawled out with nothing more than cuts and bruises. One of them had cell coverage and called 911. Pretty promptly, we were surrounded by three state troopers, the Culberson County EMS team, and a Border Patrolman. We knew we were safe.
`Since I had a minor head injury, two of the EMT’s, (Tony Velasquez and Matthew Velez), decided to take me to Culberson County Hospital for a CT scan. I believe that Michael, Corazon, and Holly Corralez were the top-notch medical professionals who took care of me there. My wife stayed with the wreck until Rocky Navarette showed up with the tow truck. The CT scan turned out fine, and someone from the Sheriff’s Department reunited my wife with me at the hospital.
`At this point, Tony Velasquez from Culberson County EMS stepped in as our rescuer. He arranged a hotel room for us at the brand-new Holiday Inn Express and Suites, then took his personal truck to Rocky’s Road Service. There, he and Rocky unpacked and unloaded over a thousand pounds of household goods from our truck, and moved them over to his personal truck. The next morning, Tony picked us up and drove us all the way to El Paso where U-Haul is open on Saturday, and again moved everything out of his truck into our U-Haul. We were safely on our way West, with all our belongings, and made it to take possession of our new home in Tucson only a couple of hours late. Without Tony’s help, we would have had to wait until Monday, and I would have missed my first day of work. He’s a prince of the road.
` It could have been a horrible event. We were blessed that we didn’t sustain more than minor injuries. And we were also blessed that the kind people of Van Horn, (and other Texans), stepped up and took care of two travelers who hadn’t even planned to stop for gas in your city. Everyone from public safety to medical to the front desk clerk at the hotel instantly stepped up to help in whatever way we needed.
We appreciate your kindness, and you’re an inspiration to us. Thank you. And, everybody, please wear your seatbelts. We’d be dead without ours.
Stephen and Cecilia Fleming
Tucson, Arizona
