• By STEVEN WARD
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Dec 9, 2009 - Page: 1B

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While Baton Rouge paramedic Chrissy Crocker drove to work Nov. 28 she saw a van flip over on Interstate 10 near Prairieville.

Because she was on her way to work, a 12-hour shift that included an LSU football game that Saturday, she said didn’t have any of her equipment with her.

After spotting the van, Crocker saw various objects rolling onto the median.

Crocker said she thought it may have been debris.

But she said she soon realized she was looking at children.

“I stopped. I immediately went for my radio before I realized I didn’t have my radio on me,” Crocker, a 37-year-old Sorrento resident, said.

Crocker had stumbled upon a crash involving a van overloaded with 15 people. Six people died as a result of the accident.

Crocker said she was the first on the scene and had nothing to use but her two hands.

“All 13 children were ejected. I went to each child and did what I could. I called my partner. It was triage. I was probably alone there for 6 or 7 minutes but it felt like an eternity,” Crocker said.

Crocker, who has worked as a paramedic for East Baton Rouge Parish Emergency Medical Services for four years, said she finally knew what it was like to have to wait for an ambulance.

Near the end of Tuesday’s Louisiana State Police 2009 Awards Ceremony, Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson presented Crocker with the Superintendent’s Award.

The honor is presented “for excellence in recognition of outstanding performances or achievements.”

Crocker was one of 24 people who were given awards at Tuesday’s ceremony for going above and beyond.