Seminole County Fire Department Honored with Unit Team Citation
Seminole County, Fla. (June 4, 2024) – In a heartwarming reunion, 26-year-old Marcus Frutchey, who survived a horrific wrong-way crash, thanked the dedicated Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD) crews and the trauma team at Orlando Health. The SCFD crew members were also honored with a prestigious Unit Team Citation for their life-saving efforts.
The Incident: On October 29, 2023, at 7:17 a.m., Marcus was driving westbound on I-4 at 60 mph under the Central Pkwy Overpass in Altamonte Springs, Florida, when a vehicle traveling the wrong way at the same speed collided head-on with his car. The SCFD crew members, upon arriving at the scene, found Marcus severely injured with his intestines, cecum, and appendix exposed due to the impact.
Emergency Response and Medical Care: Time was critical as Marcus needed immediate medical intervention. Thanks to the swift actions of the SCFD crew, he was rapidly transported to Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, home to Central Florida’s only Level One Trauma Center. Marcus’s injuries were extensive, including severed intestines, 13 broken ribs, a broken back, a broken sternum, fractures in both hands, his left wrist, right arm, and a punctured lung. Over the past seven months, he has undergone 10 surgeries and made a remarkable recovery.
Gratitude and Recognition: Dr. Sandra Frutchey and Dr. Mark Frutchey, Marcus’s parents, expressed profound gratitude to the SCFD and the Orlando Health team for their exceptional care and quick response. Dr. Tracy Zito, Trauma Medical Director at Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, highlighted the significance of such recoveries, stating, “Our ambulance bay doors have swung open too many times for patients who have suffered immense trauma after high-speed, wrong-way crashes. To see such an incredible recovery is why we do this job. The fight that we see in our patients is what drives our trauma team to do all they can to give our patients that second chance.”
Community and Collaboration: Lieutenant Ben Fulton, a crew member on the call, expressed the crew’s joy in seeing Marcus healthy and walking again. “Seeing Marcus walking around and healthy is a true testament to the expertise and partnership that our fire department has with our hospitals. We have outstanding service and care, and we are proud to serve Seminole County.”
This inspiring story underscores the critical role of emergency responders and medical professionals in saving lives and highlights the strength and resilience of patients like Marcus. The collaboration between the SCFD and Orlando Health continues to provide exceptional care for the Seminole County community.