By Sgt. Alex Lopez, Joint Task Force DC

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. National Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission responded to a motor vehicle accident after a vehicle jumped a curb and slammed into a tree nearby.

Service members were gathered outside the DC Armory when a vehicle suddenly crashed into a tree behind their formation. National Guard medics immediately ran toward the vehicle. Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were also nearby when the incident occurred and called for additional emergency responders.

“As soon as we heard the crash, we rushed over,” said Spc. Angel Alvarez. “I ran to the driver’s side and began speaking with her to help keep her conscious while we waited for emergency services to arrive.”

When the service members reached the vehicle, they noticed that the driver was injured and unable to react adequately. They entered the vehicle and began rendering medical aid while fellow Soldiers secured the scene alongside MPD officers. The driver was extracted from the vehicle shortly after. An off-duty service member who was passing by quickly rushed to the scene and produced a medical aid bag for responding National Guard medics to utilize in helping the injured driver.

“I saw the other Soldiers rendering aid, but they didn’t have a trauma kit,” said Spc. Isaac Cruz. “I offered my kit, and they immediately were able to start utilizing the contents to help make a brace for the injured person’s neck.”

Shortly after, local emergency medical services and local fire department personnel arrived and assumed control of the scene. The guardsmen present continued to provide support and keep the area clear until emergency services fully declared the area safe. The driver was taken to a hospital for further treatment.

The quick response from the National Guardsmen during the critical moments immediately following the collision helped minimize further risk to the driver at a minimum while working alongside local emergency organizations.

“Our Soldiers were already on the way over to render aid before the vehicle was even fully rested back on the ground,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Sarkkinen. “We started working together with the first responders with good communication. It was excellent.”

This incident demonstrates an example of how military personnel stationed in and around the nation’s capital can find themselves responding to emergencies in the community, even when they are not acting in an official emergency-response capacity.