Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Three passers-by who stopped to render aid are being credited with saving the life of a Shawano man seriously injured Friday when his motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck in the town of Belle Plaine.
Gerald M. Owen, 51, was reported in serious condition at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, but improving Tuesday, according to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office.
Owen was headed northbound on state Highway 22 about 3:45 p.m. when the driver of a 2000 GMC pickup truck, headed westbound from County Road CC, failed to yield right of way and struck the motorcycle.
The truck was driven by Richard D. Ghent, 34, of Black Creek. Authorities said his license was revoked at the time of the crash. They are also investigating whether alcohol or drugs were a factor.
Owen, who was not wearing a helmet, according to the sheriff’s office, was taken to Shawano Medical Center and then flown to Theda Clark, where he is being treated for head injuries.
Though a number of people stopped to help, the sheriff’s department is crediting three people in particular with saving Owen’s life.
Chad Betz, of Shawano, was headed home on Highway 22 when a vehicle ahead of him slammed on its brakes and he saw a man lying face down in the intersection. He pulled over, called 911 and went to help.
Less than two hours earlier, Betz, who is training at Northeast Wisconsin Technical Center for a career in law enforcement, had received his certification in emergency dispatch.
Betz said that quirk of timing never crossed his mind.
“All I thought was, ‘someone needs help,’” he said.
Jennifer Schroeder, of Shawano, was also on her way home and saw the cars backed up. She told a deputy directing traffic that she had been trained in CPR and asked if any help was needed.
Schroeder, a physical therapist, had finished a refresher course in CPR only a week ago.
Rachel Lockwood, of Waupaca, a registered nurse, was on her way home from ThedaCare and pulled over to make way for a sheriff’s squad when she saw someone in the road.
“I got out to see what I could do,” she said.
Lockwood said a couple from Minnesota who had witnessed the crash were attempting to provide aid when she arrived.
“We all worked together as a team,” Lockwood said. “No one knew anyone’s name. No one introduced themselves. Everyone kind of seemed to know they had a role to play.”
Betz said a woman was already providing assistance when he arrived. They were unable to get a pulse and the man was not breathing. They rolled him over, cleared his airways and began applying chest compression.
Betz was applying chest compression when Schroeder arrived.
“I was counting him to help and encourage him,” Schroeder said.
Over the course of the next couple of minutes, the three alternated applying chest compressions and holding Owen’s head stable, Betz said, before they were able to get a weak pulse back and Owen was breathing again.
“It was pretty intense,” Betz said.
Schroeder said there were many people helping and providing encouragement to the patient, as well as others on the phone with dispatchers and providing information.
“We were blessed to have those people there,” she said.
After Owen was breathing again, Lockwood said she needed someone to help hold him.
“Suddenly two other people showed up,” she said. “People were just there.”
Schroeder said she reacted as anybody would have done.
“So many people would have done the same thing,” she said.
“I’ve heard ‘hero this and hero that,’” Betz said. “I’m just a person who saw a person who needed help. I don’t think any of us think of ourselves as heroes.”
Betz added that everyone should take emergency response courses, even as simple as CPR.
“Being in the right place at the right time can save a life,” he said.
Sheriff Adam Bieber personally thanked Betz, Schroeder and Lockwood, and said he plans to formally recognize them at a future meeting of the county’s public safety committee.
“The quick actions of these people saved this man’s life, and with my deepest gratitude I thank them,” he said.
A medical fund has been set up in Owen’s name at CoVantage Credit Union, according to the sheriff’s office.