Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Release Date: Oct. 28, 2021
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

METRO M.A.P. Operator and MPD Officers Credited With Saving Men from Fiery Crash

From left: METRO M.A.P. Operator Chris Sheffield, Officer Omar Franklin, METRO Board Chair Carrin Patman, Officer Cameron Gilbert, Sgt. Mark Ewing and MPD Chief Vera Bumpers.

A Houston METRO Motorist Assistance Program (M.A.P.) operator and three METRO police officers are being credited for their heroic response to the scene of a horrific accident that occurred on the night of Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. Today METRO's Board of Directors presented each of the men with a proclamation recognizing their selfless efforts to save others. 

METRO M.A.P. Operator Chris Sheffield had just arrived at METRO's Kashmere Bus Operating Facility that evening when he was startled by the sound of a loud crash. Sheffield said he saw a vehicle fall at least 100 feet from the nearby Eastex overpass before landing in a grassy area below. Sheffield immediately ran to the scene while radioing emergency personnel for backup.

While the operator was helping lead the vehicle's passenger away from the wreckage the truck burst into flames with the driver still trapped inside.

"I saw the fire had engulfed the driver, so I dashed to my truck, grabbed my extinguisher, and ran to the burning vehicle to put out the flames," said Sheffield.

At that time, three of Sheffield's colleagues from MPD had also arrived on the scene, helping to free the driver from the burning truck.

Body camera footage shows the harrowing scene and the intensity of the inferno.

METRO Police Chief Vera Bumpers recognized the group for their response.

"We are extraordinarily proud of the dedication and hard work performed by members of the METRO Police Department each day. That dedication was on full display when this tragic accident occurred," said Bumpers. "We commend M.A.P. Operator Chris Sheffield, Sergeant Mark Ewing, Officer Omar Franklin, and Officer Cameron Gilbert for their efforts."

Family members of one of the men rescued drove from Dallas to Houston to personally thank Operator Sheffield and his colleagues for their heroism that night.

"I just happened to be in the right place and the right time," said Sheffield. "And I'm proud to have reacted decisively and professionally to achieve this outcome."

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT lanes, Community Connector microtransit and Star Vanpool. In 2020, the Authority introduced the METRORapid Silver Line, the region’s first bus rapid transit service.  Bike & Ride programs and road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the region.  Focused on investing in the region’s future mobility needs, the Authority developed the  METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRO is also the first transit provider in the region to pilot autonomous vehicle shuttle technology. Learn more about METRO services at ridemetro.org where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.