From left, a CHP Yuba-Sutter officer stands with Ashley Martin, Cayleigh and Cyle Johnson, the family who saved Robbie Carpenter. Photo courtesy of CHP Yuba-Sutter

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - On Nov. 25, at about 12:20 p.m., Robbie Carpenter, 75 from Live Oak, was involved in a rollover crash into an irrigation canal on Larkin Road north of Paseo Road. There were approximately two inches of water in the canal from the previous rain event. Her vehicle landed upside down with her head submerged in the water.

Cyle Johnson, 28, and his wife, Ashley Martin, 27 of Marysville, and their six-year-old daughter Cayleigh were visiting a residence on Larkin Road. Their daughter was playing out front, saw the crash and ran into the house to tell her parents. Johnson ran out front and jumped the front fence and jumped into the canal. Martin also ran outside to assist.

Pictured here is the state Robbie Carpenter’s car was found in. Photo courtesy of CHP Yuba-Sutter

They located Carpenter, whose head was underwater and unresponsive in the driver seat, belted in. Johnson reached in the vehicle and unlocked the door and forced the door open. An unknown passerby stopped to assist and provided a knife to cut the seat belt. They were able to pull Robbie to safety and stayed with her until the responding EMS personnel arrived to take over care.

Carpenter was transported to Adventist Health and Rideout with minor injuries. Had it not been for the heroic actions of Johnson, Martin and their daughter, this would have been a very different outcome. We applaud the lifesaving actions demonstrated by this family.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa honored the family’s bravery with this recognition. Photo courtesy of CHP Yuba-Sutter

A rather odd fact: Johnson was the first on scene at a fatal wrong way crash on SR-99 near Howsley Road on Oct. 13. Johnson assisted Ian Essary, who was gravely injured, and was recently released from UC Davis. Johnson is that one guy you need in your time of need.

On Nov. 26, United States Representative Douglas LaMalfa dropped off a recognition certificate to CHP’s Yuba Sutter office for the life-saving actions of six-year-old Cayleigh and her family. Officers had the privilege of showing Cayleigh one of our brand-new Dodge Charger patrol vehicles to her delight.

And even better news, Johnson is in the hiring process with CHP Yuba-Sutter.