DIXON — Lee County Deputy Alejandro Castro was awarded the Life Saving Award during a Lee County Board meeting for his actions at a crash scene on February 12th near Pump Factory Road and the Green River. Authorities said Castro responded to an iPhone crash detection alert at about 8:05 p.m. and arrived to find a truck hanging off the east side of a bridge with a man trapped inside. The victim was conscious but had suffered a severe leg injury and had lost a large amount of blood. Castro applied a tourniquet from his duty gear and then applied a second tourniquet after a supervisor arrived to help control the bleeding. Officials said Castro remained with the victim and kept him alert until emergency crews arrived. The man was later taken by helicopter to Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. Officials said emergency responders later credited Castro’s actions with saving the man’s life.
Deputy Alejandro Castro and Lieutenant Matt Frye (pictured)