Ronald Raupp (left) and Bill Nuhn

Good Samaritans Assist Man in Danger

Aggregate Industries Employees Assist Motorist in Life-threatening Situation  

Algonquin, IL, October 14, 2009 – It happened around 6:45 a.m. Aggregate Industries employees Ronald Raupp and Bill Nuhn were heading south on Route 31 on their way to Algonquin Pit, when Ronald spotted a black Ford Crown Victoria, off the road, up on a berm across the opposite lane – motor still running, car in gear. A man was slumped over in his seat.

Ronald quickly approached the car and assessed the situation. At first glance, the driver showed no signs of life; he had no pulse and was not breathing. However, his body was still warm, so Ronald realized that the man couldn’t have been there long. Recalling the situation, Ronald states, “His face was pale, one eye open and the other was half closed.”

Ronald ran back to Bill and instructed him to call 911. While awaiting the arrival of Emergency Medical Technicians, Ronald administered CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. By the time the EMT arrived at the scene, Ronald’s efforts had restored the man’s color, although he still wasn’t breathing nor had a pulse.

Ronald accompanied the motorist to Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry, where he received a routine AIDS screening test. While there, a nurse told him that the motorist was still alive and had a chance as the result of Ronald’s heroic action. Ronald doesn’t feel like a hero, though. “With all of the required, MSHA CPR classes that I have taken,” says Ronald, “I felt that if I didn’t do something, it would always be on my mind.” He adds, “I would like to think that if I was in need, someone would come to my aid.”

Ronald is the operations manager for our Algonquin Sand & Gravel Pit, in charge of its day-to-day operations. Ronald began his career as a laborer 29–and-a-half years ago. He has been an operations manager for the past 20 years at various locations for Meyer. Bill is the head mechanic at the Algonquin Pit. Bill works directly for Ron and has worked for Meyer for 38 years.

“Both Ron and Bill are exemplary employees,” says Randi Willie, AI’s Risk Manager at the McHenry operation, who received a call from a customer who witnessed the incident. “When I received the initial call about the incident, I knew Ron had to be involved.” Allen Miller, Ronald’s supervisor, states, “Ron is one of the hardest working employees that I have. He is always looking for better ways to do his job. Ron also is an elected trustee of the Cary Fire Protection District and has been for 10-plus years.”

All Aggregate Industries’ mine employees receive an MSHA required, 8-hour annual refresher course. This training is performed through the Safety Department, and it includes CPR training as well. In addition, Toolbox Talks - 10-minute meetings held at the plant that focus on a single subject - are carried out weekly and monthly with the work crews at all mining locations by the Mine Superintendents.

We thank Ronald and Bill for their quick and decisive action, coming to the aid of a total stranger in his time of need, without regard for their own safety. We are proud of having them as colleagues.