ASHBY — Chief Derek J. Pepple is pleased to share that the Ashby Police Department has commended an officer for saving a life by applying a tourniquet to a severely injured crash victim.
On Monday, Oct. 21, at approximately 1:08 p.m., Chief Derek Pepple was inside the police station at 1093 Main St. when he became aware that a vehicle crashed into the police sign in front of the station.
Chief Pepple responded to the crash immediately and found a driver bleeding heavily from a cut to his leg. The driver was in and out of consciousness due to blood loss. Officer Kyle S. Dodge arrived on scene and applied a tourniquet to the driver’s leg.
The driver was subsequently transferred to a regional trauma center by medical helicopter.
A subsequent investigation determined that the driver had cut his leg with a chainsaw at his home in Ashby, and attempted to drive himself to the police station to get help before losing consciousness and crashing into the police station sign.
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the department was notified by the driver’s family that the driver was recovering well, and that doctors told the family the application of a tourniquet saved the driver’s life.
“Your quick response to the scene and application of a tourniquet to stop the severe bleeding saved the man’s life,” Chief Pepple wrote in a commendation sent to both Officer Dodge and the Select Board. “Your actions serve as a fine example of the Ashby Police Department’s core values of Duty, Respect and Service.”