Pomona's Own First Responder

On Thursdays I take the metrolink to and from my teaching assignment in downtown LA. Today I was heading back to Pomona's North Metrolink station on the 12:20 pm train. When we got to Cal State LA (the first stop after leaving Union Station), we were delayed. An announcement came on that there was a bus accident on the freeway ahead and they'd have another announcement in about 20 minutes. 20 MINUTES? Then the rumors started down the train that there would be a 4 HOUR delay.

As it turned out, the delay getting out of Cal State was about 45 minutes, but then we got about a mile down the line and were stopped again. Metrolink decided that they needed to inspect the tracks at the site of the accident. About 15 minutes later we were finally on our way. But not very fast.

As we got to where the train (and the busway out of El Monte's bus station) separate from the Freeway, we came upon the accident. An LA County Sheriff's prisoner transport bus had had an accident. There were sheriff's cars and ambulances as far as the eye could see (at least 1-1/2 miles and way too many to count). As we came upon the site, moving very slowly, I was able to see the debris and what was going on.

And then, looking out the train window, i spied, walking from one of the many ambulances parked along the busway, our own Pomona City Councilman Freddie Rodriguez. The councilman is a 23 year EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)/Paramedic. I must say that my chest swelled with pride knowing that it was a dedicated Pomonan who was early on the scene of a major incident.

Just couldn't let this go by without acknowledging him. Nice to have some good news for a change.