SAN ANTONIO — U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border rescued an elderly driver from an overturned vehicle on Highway 83 in Rio Grande City, Texas, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. The Soldiers stopped their vehicles after witnessing the vehicle swerving before it flipped onto its side, trapping the driver inside.
Sgt. 1st Class Steven Gombar, Staff Sgt. Brian Donahoo, Spc. Jayda Douglas and Pfc. Jason Ozuna intervened to render immediate aid. Ozuna was able to open the rear of the SUV and safely help the elderly driver climb out of the vehicle.
"I saw what looked like oil or gas, so I wanted to act quickly," Ozuna said. "I opened the rear door of the SUV and put all the seats down. Then I unbuckled the driver’s seatbelt and had him put his hand on my shoulder and pulled him out of the car.”
While the rescue was in progress, Gombar contacted local law enforcement and emergency medical services. Douglas, a medic with the unit, provided first aid to the driver, who sustained only minor injuries. The driver was in stable condition when paramedics arrived.
"I didn't feel like I did anything special; I just did what I would want someone to do for my family," Ozuna stated.
"I joined the Army to help people, and it feels good to be able to serve the community," added Gombar.
The Texas Department of Public Safety took over the scene and the Soldiers returned to their primary role under the JTF-SB mission — to control the border and protect the territorial integrity of the United States.
Members of the JTF-SB is more than a Southern Border task for; they stand ready to aid in the event of accidents and people in distress. The team has responded to multiple civilian vehicle accidents as they are witnessed, providing life-saving aid in the communities as a duty of selfless service.
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