A Second Chance at Life
Woman injured in Henry County dump truck accident becomes first Red Initiative recipient
By Katie Clontz
Angela Johnson sustained life-threatening injuries during a dump truck accident. Thanks to quick response from New Castle EMS members, a unit of whole blood and state-of-the-art medical equipment, she received an on-site blood transfusion.
Johnson survived and became the first patient to be treated through the Red Initiative program, a collaborative effort among New Castle EMS officials, the Henry County Community Foundation, the City of New Castle and Versiti Blood Center of Indiana.
Tuesday, Johnson visited the New Castle EMS station on Broad Street to meet the individuals who helped save her life, and see the equipment that made it possible.
“Because of their program, I got a second chance at life,” she said. “It’s been a very emotional time. Without that blood, I would not have lived…It meant a lot to be able to meet the fellows that saved my life and gave me another chance. It was wonderful. My heart filled up with such overwhelming joy. It meant everything to be able to shake their hands and tell them and show them that the work they do has an impact on not only the patient, but their 
family, as well. ‘Thank you’ just doesn’t seem enough. The job they do is tremendous. It’s the first step in the healing process.”
Johnson, 51, Muncie, was working for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) July 23 when the dump truck she was driving rolled over on Ind. 38 in Cadiz, about 1,000 feet west of County Road 975 West.
She was air lifted from the scene to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. But before that happened, she received life-saving blood. The injuries she suffered were horrific.
“I destroyed every bone in my face,” she said. “It is all metal now with 99 screws. I dislocated my collar bones, broke the left collar bone and dislocated some of my right ribs from the sternum. I fractured 10 vertebrae, C1 and C7 and T4-T11. I broke three ribs on the left side in the back and broke six ribs on the right side in the back, three of which had to be plated. I fractured and dislocated both shoulder blades and sustained a lot of road rash. I cut my right arm just below the wrist all the way down to the bone. I’ve got road rash scars on my stomach and left elbow. I lost my right eye in the accident, as well.”
New Castle EMS Chief Brian Clark said being able to greet Johnson in person on Tuesday, see her walk on her own, and hear about her journey, was an amazing experience.
“It was a very special day for us
,” Clark said. “We followed Johnson’s progress through friends and family…She has fought hard and continues to fight. But as she says, she is still here because of the care she received on that day.”
New Castle EMS members who responded to Johnson’s accident were assistant chief Justin Harrison, paramedic Kyle Simpkins, paramedic Chris Millis and former EMT Tabby Biddle.
“We have trained significantly for the blood administration process and equipment,” Clark said, noting that he was very proud of his entire department. “The actual blood transfusion itself took less than two minutes and was completed within 10 minutes of the arrival of the blood with no issues.”
While at the New Castle EMS station, Johnson received a tour and got to see the various equipment, including the self-contained blood storage unit.
“I was told what saved my life was this machine,” Johnson said, adding that she could have lost her life if she hadn’t had the ability to receive an on-site blood transfusion.
“The damage was substantial, but it could have been worse,” she said. “I had God’s hand when I went through that windshield and onto the road. I could have suffered very deathly injuries…I could have been paralyzed. My brain could have been mush. But God had a hand in saving me.”
Johnson also expressed her gratitude to three special INDOT employees who stayed with her from the moment the accident occurred until she was placed in the helicopter.
The Red InitiativeIn October 2023, New Castle EMS announced it was the first 911 ground ambulance service in the State of Indiana to carry a unit of whole blood for routine emergency response.
The Red Initiative is a collaborative
effort among New Castle EMS officials, the Henry County Community Foundation, the City of New Castle and Versiti Blood Center. Talks of the program initially began in late 2022, but EMS budgets for the following year had already been finalized and funding wasn’t available.
New Castle Mayor Greg York’s blessing and a $15,079 Foundation grant enabled the program’s launch.
The unit of blood EMS carries is O positive. The blood has a shelf-life of 21 days and is stored in a self-contained, self-monitored cooler unit. The blood is stored at a nearly freezing temperature and can be warmed to body temperature in 15 seconds. The unit of blood can then be transfused into the patient in less than 10 minutes. If the blood is nearing the end of its shelf life and local EMS has not had to use it, the blood is taken to a medical facility that will use it before it expires. In exchange, EMS receives a fresh unit of blood and perpetuates the cycle.
The Red Initiative program is sustained for future years through two endowment funds at the Foundation and a pass-through fund.
“It took a lot of work to get our blood program off the ground and keep it running, and it pays off in the end,” Clark said. “We do not do this job for the recognition. It is all about patient care.”
The power of positivity Johnson’s path to recovery hasn’t been easy. But she takes pride in every accomplishment no matter how small. For instance, two weeks after the accident, she took two steps. A short time later, she walked 100 feet.
“The rehabilitation hospital in Indy was wonderful and they had wonderful people,” she said. “They helped me remain positive and reach certain goals.”
Johnson attributes her recovery to maintaining a positive attitude.
“It doesn’t pay to boo-hoo, cry and pity myself,” she said. “I’m not going to heal that way. It is what it is. I suffered those injuries. The only thing I can do is to stay positive and know I will heal in time. I also suffered a few traumatic brain injuries, but did not suffer any permanent brain damage. I had a lot of support from my family and friends and co-workers.”
Johnson said the first time she looked in the mirror was a painful experience.
“It hurt. I’m not going to
lie,” she said. “But it’s not going to work if all I do is wallow in self-pity and have all kinds of negativity. The only way to recover is to remain positive and know I am in God’s hands. He protected me from the more serious injuries that would have taken my life.”
Going out in public has also been challenging, but Johnson found a way to cope.
“They don’t know what happened to me,” she said. “I haven’t had anyone say anything negative, but I can feel the staring. I understand. I get it. But I see all my scars as a second chance at life. And that’s how I look at them.”
Johnson is the mother of two children. Her son, Dakotah, is 20, and her daughter, Chloe, is 26. She has five grandchildren and a sixth on the way. She enjoys spending time with her family, which also includes her sister, Trista, and her niece, Marissa.
“I would like to say a special thank you to my sister for being with me from day one and making sure I got the best care possible,” Johnson said.
Looking forward, Johnson is excited to marry her fiancé, Sam, and enjoy simple pleasures like fishing and camping. She also hopes to travel and would like to visit Ireland, Greece and Egypt.
Blood donors neededIn conjunction with Henry Community Health and Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, New Castle EMS hosts a blood drive every 60 days.
“We encourage the public to donate blood wherever if they are eligible,” Clark said. “You never know when you may be on the receiving end.”
The next blood drive will take place from 3-7:15 p.m. Jan. 23, 2025 at the EMS station, 432 Broad St., New Castle. As a thank-you, donors will receive a 25th anniversary, limited-edition Indianapolis Colts football, while supplies last. Appointments are preferred, but not required. To make an appointment, visit donateblood.versiti.org, or call 317-916-5150.