Photo By Chief Petty Officer Patrick Gordon | PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland (April 19, 2024) – Navy Munitions Command Atlantic Detachment Patuxent River’s Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Isaiah Mercado provided critical medical assistance to injured drivers after a car crash in Hollywood, Maryland on April 7.
No stranger to high-pressure situations, Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Isaiah Mercado, a Navy armament weapons support equipment technician with Navy Munitions Command Atlantic Detachment Patuxent River (NMCLANT DET Pax), is tasked with maintaining and servicing air- and surface-launched weapons through intermediate level maintenance on specialized ordnance handling and transportation equipment.
Encountering a vehicle collision around 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, Mercado’s immediate reaction was to intervene and aid the victims, showcasing his quick thinking and composure in the face of adversity.
Upon arriving at the scene, Mercado swiftly assessed the situation, directing his wife to contact emergency services while he attended to the injured parties. He first attended to the conscious driver of the SUV, who requested him to check on her child in the backseat.
Discovering the child unconscious from the impact, Mercado performed a thorough assessment, confirming the child’s pulse to reassure the mother. He then turned his attention to a motorcyclist involved in the collision, attempting to assess his condition.
Assisted by an off-duty St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputy and another passerby, Mercado coordinated efforts to stabilize the injured, providing critical information to the emergency dispatcher and assisting in extracting the victims from the vehicles.
Despite the collaborative efforts, the motorcyclist tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The woman and child were transported to medical facilities for further treatment.
Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Paul Nelson commended Mercado’s swift and decisive actions, emphasizing his leadership qualities and invaluable contributions to the team at NMCLANT DET Pax.
NMCLANT DET Pax plays a vital role in providing Fleet Ordnance Support (FOS) and overseeing explosive ordnance facilities, ensuring the efficient management and operation of ordnance material handling in support of naval operations.
Photo By Chief Petty Officer Patrick Gordon | PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland (April 19, 2024) – Navy Munitions Command Atlantic Detachment Patuxent River’s Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Isaiah Mercado provided critical medical assistance to injured drivers after a car crash in Hollywood, Maryland on April 7.