Dustin Wayne Roach

Dustin Wayne Roach rescued Lucia M. Mendoza from drowning, Texarkana, Texas, April 4, 2021. Mendoza, 29, was in turbulent waters of a spillway after the vehicle in which she was a passenger entered the water from an adjacent road and submerged. Roach, 35, construction worker, who was fishing nearby, witnessed the accident and saw Mendoza submerge and resurface twice in the strong current. He climbed atop a wall that bordered the spillway, dived into the water, and swam about 50 feet to reach Mendoza. Roach grasped Mendoza, and used his other arm and legs to swim toward the bank. When they reached a point about 40 feet from the bank, Roach became short of breath and spit up water he had swallowed. He repositioned Mendoza but maintained his hold on her. About then, others threw them a fishing line. Roach grasped the line, wrapped it around his torso, then swam with Mendoza as the others pulled them toward the bank. When they reached a point about 10 feet from the bank Roach and Mendoza were aided to the top of the bank to safety. Mendoza sustained injuries for which she received treatment. Roach exited the water under his own power. He suffered fatigue and a cut to his hand but did not require treatment.