Bystander’s Quick CPR Action Saves Life in Highway A-12 Collision

CORRECTION: Only Two– vehicles crash involving infants prompts multi-agency response; no fatalities reported

SISKIYOU COUNTY — A head-on collision on Highway A-12 Friday afternoon resulted in multiple injuries, including to two infants, but ended without fatalities thanks in part to the quick actions of a Good Samaritan who performed life-saving CPR at the scene.

The crash occurred at approximately 12:54 p.m. on Highway A-12 just east of Shasta Vista Drive, initially appearing as a two-vehicle head-on collision before responders determined three vehicles were involved.

Among the victims were a one-year-old child and an infant who were passengers in one of the vehicles. The severity of injuries prompted an immediate multi-agency emergency response and the complete closure of the A12 at Highway 97.

James Davis, who was traveling in the third vehicle to arrive on scene moments after the accident, immediately began performing CPR on a critically injured patient who had lost vital signs.

“My wife is a RN and I have had multiple CPR trainings, just the right place at the right time,” Davis said. “Today is my wife’s birthday — I told her she will never forget this one.”

Davis continued CPR until paramedics arrived and were able to take over care. The patient was successfully revived and later transported to a trauma center for specialized treatment.

“I heard they revived her?” Davis shared, while seeking permission to share photos from the scene, confirming the positive outcome of his intervention.

Emergency Response

Emergency medical personnel implemented standard triage protocols, categorizing patients by injury severity. Two patients received “green tag” designations for non-life-threatening injuries, while one patient required immediate critical intervention.

A medical helicopter was initially ordered with a 39-minute estimated arrival time but was later cancelled in favor of ground transport due to changing conditions at the scene.

Patients were transported to multiple medical facilities:

• Two patients went to Fairchild Medical Center
• One patient was taken to Mercy Mount Shasta
• The critically injured patient who received CPR was ultimately airlifted to a trauma center

The incident required coordination between emergency medical services, law enforcement, and highway patrol for traffic control. Multiple agencies responded to manage both the medical emergency and the significant traffic disruption on the major roadway. The road closure lasted approximately two hours before the incident was officially terminated and normal traffic flow resumed.

Davis’s presence at the scene — which he described as being in “just the right place at the right time” — exemplifies how bystander intervention can make the difference between life and death in emergency situations. This serves as a reminder to the importance of emergency preparedness, including CPR training that proved crucial in Friday’s incident.

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