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Off-Duty Sergeant Gives Life-Saving CPR After Witnessing Car Crash

An off-duty Seattle police sergeant found herself giving life-saving CPR on the side of a Bellevue road last week after witnessing a one-car crash while she was on her way to get a haircut.

South Precinct Sergeant Ann Martin was driving through Bellevue’s Lakemont neighborhood on her way to get a haircut just before 1:30 pm on July 15th when she saw a vehicle in front of her cross over the center line in the road.

“I thought he was on his cellphone, but he stayed over the center line,” Sgt. Martin says, “which told me there was something else going on.”

When the driver veered back over the center line and crashed into a concrete barrier, the sergeant pulled over and approached the crashed car.

Inside, she found the unconscious driver, along with his 12-year-old son and their small dog.

Martin found the driver didn’t have a pulse and was struggling to breathe. With the help of another motorist, who had stopped at the scene, Martin got the man out of the driver’s seat and began CPR.

Bellevue Police and Fire Department EMTs arrived and took over treatment of the 42-year-old man.

As medics were treating the man, Martin walked over to talk to the 12-year-old. “Keep your dad in your prayers,” Martin told him. “I just wanted to say something. I just wanted him to know I did my best.”

Medics transported the man to Overlake Medical Center, where he is now recovering.