RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS) – State officials are honoring local emergency workers for their extraordinary clinical skills and teamwork during two life-saving emergency responses. The state presented awards to multiple Rutherford County Emergency Medical Service team members for their actions during two separate incidents in 2025.
Shift Commander Wendy Lampley and Paramedic Jeremy Coleman received a prestigious state award for exceptional interagency trauma response and patient survival. Their award stems from a devastating motor vehicle collision on April 22, 2025. The crash left driver Crystal Lane with catastrophic injuries and caused her to go into traumatic cardiac arrest.
Responders from Rutherford County 911, Murfreesboro Fire Rescue, and Vanderbilt LifeFlight worked together during a prolonged vehicle extrication. Lane had no pulse for 24 minutes. During that time, emergency crews performed continuous advanced interventions, including rapid airway management, blood transfusions, and thoracostomies. Their quick actions restarted Lane’s heart before air medical teams flew her to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. After extensive surgeries and rehabilitation, Lane has returned to independent daily life and is preparing to go back to work…