An officer with the California Highway Patrol is credited with saving the life of an elderly driver after suffering a heart attack, authorities said Wednesday.
Officer Ruth Rodriguez responded to a medical call on the Interstate 210 freeway at Fruit Street in La Verne. Rodriguez located a Honda Odyssey minivan occupied by a husband and wife.
The driver, an 81-year-old man, was suffering a heart attack, the driver's wife said. Rodriguez said the driver had no pulse and was not breathing, at which point she began chest compressions to resuscitate the driver, according to information released by the CHP.
Rodriguez could not employ rescue breathing due to the driver's position in the van. Rodriguez continued her resuscitative efforts until fire fighters arrived to take over, the CHP said.
The driver was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center by ambulance where the driver was discovered to have a pulse. The driver was recovering as of Wednesday afternoon, the CHP said.
