Calif. medic instructor wades through snakes to reach crash victim
The car crashed into a vernal pool and was partially submerged in snake-filled waters
By Greg Welter
Chico Enterprise-Record
CHICO, Calif. — A Butte College paramedic instructor among the first motorists at the scene of a deadly head-on crash on Highway 99 Wednesday morning said she had to wade through snakes to reach the victim.
Belinda Schafer said she was driving to work with another paramedic instructor on Highway 99 when they saw a thick plume of black smoke ahead.
"We knew it wasn't good," she said.
When she reached the crash site, north of Broyles Road, Schafer said she headed for a wrecked car off the west side of 99.
The car, driven by Ashlee Holland, 18, of Corning, had come to rest in a vernal pool and was partially submerged.
Schafer recalled seeing numerous snakes in the water around the vehicle. She said she pushed the snakes aside with some trepidation and waded toward the car to check on Holland.
"She was in extremely critical condition," Schafer said. "She was unconscious."
Despite getting no response, Schafer said she talked continuously to Holland until fire and ambulance crews arrived.
"That's just something I do," she said. "I try to comfort them, even if they can't hear me."
Schafer said there was little else she could do, other than keep Holland's airway open and observe her condition so she could report to emergency medical responders.
Schafer said she stayed at the scene and helped emergency crews extricate Holland from the car through a side window.
At 8:45 a.m., while reportedly attempting to pass traffic, Holland struck a fully loaded gasoline tanker truck head-on.
The young woman was pronounced dead at the scene, Schafer said.
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