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First responders embrace survivor after SUV lands on chest
An Elgin teenager officials say is lucky to be alive after being crushed by a vehicle last month recently met with the first responders who helped save his life in an emotional reunification ceremony.
Juan Tomelloso Chavez, 17, was working on an SUV May 12 when a lift gave out and the vehicle collapsed onto his chest. He went into traumatic cardiac arrest before responding crews lifted the vehicle using hydraulic tools and began CPR and other life-support measures.
Four days after being airlifted to Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, Tomelloso Chavez is out and walking on his own without any deficits, according to Bastrop/ Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1 Battalion Chief Eran Denzler.
Juan Tomelloso Chavez (middle) is joined by parents Rafino and Yesenia.
“It definitely was a miracle,” Denzler said. “In medical cases involving traumatic cardiac arrest, survival rates are typically estimated between 2% and 8%. Those odds decrease of surviving without deficits.”
Members of Bastrop County Dispatch, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, Elgin Police Department, Bastrop/Travis County ESD No. 1, Acadian Ambulance and PHI Med 14 — all of whom had a hand in saving Tomelloso Chavez’s life — met with the survivor and his family May 26 at First Baptist Church in Elgin.
The teenager said he does not remember anything other than waking up in the hospital in pain after the vehicle fell on him.
“I know it’s easy to fall into the trap of, ‘this is our job, this is what we do,’ but all of the training hours and other things that seem mundane paid off for moments like this,” said Jason Huddleston, FBC Elgin senior pastor. “When you watch a physical resurrection like that — it’s biblical stuff.”
Huddleston also had a message for Tomelloso Chavez.
“You’re a miracle … God has a purpose for your life, brother,” Huddleston said. “We don’t get these second chances for no reason. I thank God for all of you and the miraculous work He has done.”
After moving forward from such a significant incident without lasting injury, Tomelloso Chavez said he looks at things differently now.
“I’m grateful to God for giving me a second chance,” he said.
