TSA Officer Joshua Pina working in the security checkpoint at Sacramento International Airport
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – There is a certain kinship that exists among those who work at an airport. This is very true at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) where the aviation community is committed delivering top tier services to residents and visitors in the state’s capital city. Earlier this week, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee demonstrated his personal level of commitment to SMF.
TSA officer (TSO) Joshua Pina who works at SMF was on his way to the airport around 4 a.m. Tuesday when he witnessed a single vehicle crash on airport property near the Interstate 5 interchange. The driver of the other car had lost control due to the wet road conditions and slammed into a large concrete road marker. The vehicle flipped over and landed on its roof.
SO Pina immediately stopped his vehicle, turned on the emergency flashers and used his vehicle to redirect oncoming traffic away from the crash scene. He then called TSA’s local coordination center and asked them to notify the fire department, the sheriff’s department and SMF airport operations so they could respond to the incident.
After ensuring there were no fuel leaks, flames or smoke, TSO Pina turned off the engine of the crashed vehicle. He encountered the driver who was laying on his back in the upside down car.
“After seeing the crash and realizing the driver was in danger from possibly being hit by another vehicle, I did what I could to protect him from further injury. I just followed my instincts, asked him not to move and stayed with him,” said TSO Pina. “I assured the driver that help was on the way.”
First responders arrived shortly afterwards and took control of the scene. TSO Pina learned shortly afterwards that the driver of the vehicle was a fellow airport worker who was on his way to his job at Southwest Airlines at SMF.
“What started out as an ordinary Tuesday morning turned into an opportunity to come to the aid of another person. I am grateful for TSA employees like Joshua Pina who selflessly step in to help those in need,” said TSA Federal Security Director for SMF Sid Hanna. “TSA’s commitment to the public extends beyond our security duties and we are proud to be part of and serve the larger SMF community.