A person who killed two rescue employees in a head-on DUI collusion is about to be paroled from jail after serving less than half his sentence — unless Governor Gavin Newsom steps in to cease it.

I was in the rescue automobile that day, and I barely survived. I’m talking out because my colleagues can’t.

On July 17, 2004, the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team was en route to search for a lacking 17-year-old male in Joshua Tree.

A driver, Joseph Tidwell, 35, was under the affect of methamphetamine when he handed out, crossed the heart line, and struck our rescue automobile head-on.

Team members Doctor Jim Evans (Doc) and Julie Haggerty were following us, and instantly responded. Doc could see that group member Scott Johnston was the most significantly injured.

Joseph Tidwell, 35, was convicted of two counts of second-degree homicide and sentenced to 45 years to life for the 2004 head-on DUI crash in Joshua Tree National Park that killed rescue employees Phil Calvert and Scott Johnston. Obtained by the CA Post

Scott was my greatest good friend. I watched helplessly, trapped in the back seat, as Doc carried out CPR. But after a few minutes, Doc realized Scott was gone. 

I was sitting in the third-row seat of our Rescue Suburban. My leg and foot were damaged, but Doc could inform I was bleeding internally and wanted to be flown by helicopter to a hospital.

Tidwell, who was unhurt, was arrested at the scene. His girlfriend was severely injured.

Scott Johnston died in the crash. Bob Blanck

Phil Calvert also died after the crash. Instagram/@justiceforphilandscott

I was despatched to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where I was in the ICU for two weeks, and had 5 surgical procedures. My iliac artery was torn, inflicting huge blood loss internally. My back, leg and foot were all damaged. Doctors repaired the torn artery and fused my decrease back. They put a rod and screws in my leg and an exterior fixator on my foot.

Phil Calvert, 58, was sitting in the entrance passenger seat. His legs were damaged, but otherwise he appeared all proper. He was despatched by ambulance to Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs.

Phil was like a father to Scott and me, taking us under his wing when we first joined the group.

Three days later, as I recovered in the ICU, I was instructed Phil had developed problems from his accidents and died.

Joseph Tidwell was the driver of the other automobile in the lethal crash. Bob Blanck

I was at Arrowhead for another six weeks. Then I was transferred to Loma Linda Hospital for three weeks of bodily remedy, getting ready me to go residence.

Even though I watched my greatest good friend die proper in entrance of me, and I was instructed about Phil’s passing, their deaths didn’t actually hit me until I was residence. I had been in the hospital for virtually three months, and I was so targeted on my own restoration, that my feelings had taken a back seat.

My first day residence, I broke down and wept. I was crammed with remorse and survivor’s guilt. It took me a yr of bodily remedy to be taught to stroll again.

The San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team poses for a group shot on Sunday, June 27, 2004. Bob Blanck, (second from proper) with Scott Johnston (proper). Bob Blanck

In the spring of 2007, Tidwell stood trial. District Attorney Alex Martinez was assigned to the case. He was dedicated to getting justice for Phil and Scott. 

Alex argued for second-degree homicide under California regulation, which permits that form of prosecution when a driver has a number of prior convictions and warnings.

Scott Johnston (left) with Bob Blanck (proper). Bob Blanck

Tidwell selected to drive his truck while under the affect. He knew his potential to drive was impaired and he could injure or kill someone.

The jury discovered Tidwell responsible of two counts of second-degree homicide. Tidwell was sentenced to 45 years to life in jail, with the chance of parole. It had only been two and-a-half years since shedding Phil and Scott, and our feelings were still very uncooked, but we all felt that justice had been served.

However, in December of 2024, Tidwell, 55, utilized for parole under California’s Elderly Parole Law after serving just 20 years of his sentence.

Joseph Tidwell, who was convicted of two counts of second-degree homicide for a 2004 DUI crash that killed two rescue employees, was beneficial for parole on June 30, 2026. Obtained by the CA Post

The Elderly Parole Program (Penal Code part 3055) permits inmates aged 50 and older who have served at least 20 years on their sentence to apply for parole.

(There is a proposed invoice to increase the minimal age for aged parole to 65 years outdated, but it has not yet handed.)

Fortunately, Tidwell had some infractions while being incarcerated, and was denied.

But only 18 months later, Tidwell utilized for Elderly Parole again, and on June 30, 2026, his parole was granted.

Twenty-two years of a 45-year sentence is NOT justice for the deaths of Phil and Scott.

Tidwell has not been launched yet. His parole still wants to be authorised by Governor Newsom. We have reached out to him, as properly as to state legislators, asking them to assist.

This should not be a partisan concern. It’s about justice for wounds that have not yet healed — and an “elderly” parole system that is letting too many severe criminals off the hook.

Bob Blanck is a instructor and a former volunteer with the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team.