STHS Recognizes Six McAllen Firefighters And Nursing Leader With Hometown Heroes Award

The seven exceptional individuals were recognized during a recent McAllen City Commission meeting for their swift lifesaving action following a semi-truck and car accident in front of STHS McAllen

It may come as a surprise, but the United States reports the highest number of motor vehicle accidents globally, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, with more than six million police-reported car accidents each year and another 10 million unreported accidents.

Unfortunately, there are approximately 2.6 million emergency department visits annually in the U.S. for injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, per the CDC, which translates to more than 7,000 visits each day due to these collisions.

Swift action after a motor vehicle accident is crucial to ensure proper medical attention is provided to prevent the worsening of injuries, including internal bleeding and fractures, and help identify hidden injuries and avoid potentially long-term complications.

During the city commission meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025, at McAllen City Hall, South Texas Health System officially recognized six firefighters and an STHS McAllen nursing leader with its Hometown Heroes award during a surprise presentation for their swift response following a semi-truck and motor vehicle accident that left one patient compromised with severe injuries. The honorees included McAllen firefighters Lt. Eric Moreno, Eric Espinosa, Adrian Limon, Lt. Sam Herrera, Angel Salinas and Robert Mendez, as well as STHS McAllen House Supervisor Amanda Wilson, who was unable to attend the event.

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, an 18-wheeler crashed into a car on the frontage road in front of STHS McAllen, sending it rolling into the hospital’s main parking lot, where it ended up overturned with the severely injured 90-year-old driver trapped inside. Witnessing the accident from her office window at the facility, Wilson rushed to the scene to render aid while waiting for McAllen firefighters.

“Upon arriving at the scene, I witnessed Amanda leaning on the overturned vehicle and checking on the driver’s condition,” said Tony De Luna, BSN, RN, the emergency room director and interim trauma director of STHS McAllen’s Level I Trauma Center. “She kept the patient calm and reassured her that emergency responders were on their way to help safely free her from the vehicle so that she could be brought into the ER for treatment.”

About 15 minutes later, six firefighters with the McAllen Fire Department arrived on the scene to perform a controlled extrication of the driver. After safely removing her from the vehicle, she was rushed to the emergency room for treatment. Due to the severity of her injuries, the patient was admitted to the hospital and treated in the intensive care unit and step-down unit for nearly two weeks before being discharged on Friday, June 20.

“We’re extremely proud of our six firefighters for their lifesaving efforts demonstrated during the motor-vehicle accident on June 11,” said McAllen Fire Chief Juan Angel Gloria of his firefighters who have 72 years of experience among themselves. “Thanks to their training and teamwork they were able to safely extract the driver and ensure she received urgent medical care. Their swift response contributed to a positive outcome in what could have been a tragic situation.”

Each of the honorees received a crystal plaque in recognition for their exceptional dedication, commitment and service to the safety and well-being of the community.

During the city commission meeting, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos read a special proclamation recognizing the six McAllen firefighters and STHS McAllen nursing leader for their swift action.

“The courageous actions taken by our Hometown Heroes embodies what it means to do things the McAllen way,” said Villalobos. “Their acts of heroism were instrumental in saving a life, and they are a shining example of what it means to serve with heart. We thank them for their service and celebrate their dedicated commitment to keeping our community safe.”

If you’d like to nominate a first responder for their outstanding service – whether a firefighter, police officer, emergency medical technician or Border Patrol agent — to receive South Texas Health System’s Hometown Heroes award, visit https://www.southtexashealthsystem.com/hometown-heroes-award/nomination-form to complete and submit the online nomination form.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.