Day laborers recognized for heroic efforts
When two cars burst into flames last week several day laborers swung into action to try and save everyone inside. Wednesday law enforcement recognized them for their heroic efforts.
The fiery crash in Somerton killed a mother and son on December 14. Four others were left injured but they’re alive thanks to these heroes.
Those 16 agriculture workers were at the right place at the right time. On Wednesday, they received the Citizens Valor Award from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.
“They could have called in and just stood by, but they jumped in there and that’s the sense of community and ownership that we experience in this community. I wanted to make sure that we recognize them for doing what they did that day because it took a lot. They endangered themselves and their families,” said Sheriff Leon N. Wilmot.
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office is thanking them for their heroism. But one of the workers says they don’t see it like that.
“If it were my kids or anybody I would have done, I wouldn’t have changed anything. I wouldn’t have changed anything because I don’t know like it’s hard. It’s just hard to witness something like that. I think about my family all the time,” said Jennifer Calderon.
The workers said they were on a break waiting for a tractor to be repaired last Thursday evening when they saw a car at full speed miss a traffic stop and collide with another car.
With no emergency responders in sight they didn’t skip a beat. They knew they had to help.
“Without thinking about it twice, I got to the car and saw the youngest girl crawl out the window. I took her out with the help of another woman. Then I rescued the other young girl in the car. My co-workers rescued the 5-year- old boy and the mother who was driving the SUV,” said Cristo Perez.
A mother of four and her five-year-old son lost their lives. Perez says he felt like he did all he could.
“The main thing I didn’t want was for anyone to lose their life in ths tragic accident. But unfortunately, it did happen. We tried our best in the moment.”
A criminal investigation is currently underway. According to Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, 27-year-old Nathan Morales of Yuma failed to stop at the intersection of County 18th Street and Somerton Avenue and collided with the gold 2007 Toyota Sequoia that was traveling northbound on Somerton Avenue.
