Meth-impaired driver who killed two California – Latest News
A person who killed two rescue employees in a head-on DUI collusion is about to be paroled from jail after serving much less than half his sentence — until Governor Gavin Newsom steps in to stop it.
I used to be within the rescue vehicle that day, and I barely survived. I’m talking out as a result of my colleagues can’t.
On July 17, 2004, the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team was en path to seek for a lacking 17-year-old male in Joshua Tree.
A driver, Joseph Tidwell, 35, was beneath the affect of methamphetamine when he handed out, crossed the middle line, and struck our rescue vehicle head-on.
Team members Doctor Jim Evans (Doc) and Julie Haggerty have been following us, and instantly responded. Doc might see that staff member Scott Johnston was probably 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 best buddy. I watched helplessly, trapped within the back seat, as Doc carried out CPR. But after a jiffy, Doc realized Scott was gone.
I used to be sitting within the third-row seat of our Rescue Suburban. My leg and foot have been damaged, however Doc might inform I used to be bleeding internally and needed to be flown by helicopter to a hospital.
Tidwell, who was unhurt, was arrested on the scene. His girlfriend was severely injured.
Scott Johnston died within the crash. Bob Blanck
Phil Calvert additionally died after the crash. Instagram/@justiceforphilandscott
I used to be despatched to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, the place I used to be within 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 have been 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 within the entrance passenger seat. His legs have been damaged, however in any other case 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 beneath his wing once we first joined the staff.
Three days later, as I recovered within the ICU, I used to be instructed Phil had developed problems from his accidents and died.
Joseph Tidwell was the driver of the opposite vehicle within the lethal crash. Bob Blanck
I used to be at Arrowhead for an additional six weeks. Then I used to be transferred to Loma Linda Hospital for 3 weeks of bodily remedy, getting ready me to go home.
Even although I watched my best buddy die proper in entrance of me, and I used to be instructed about Phil’s passing, their deaths didn’t actually hit me till I used to be home. I had been within the hospital for nearly three months, and I used to be so centered on my own restoration, that my feelings had taken a back seat.
My first day home, I broke down and wept. I used to be stuffed with remorse and survivor’s guilt. It took me a yr of bodily remedy to study 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 beneath California law, which permits that sort 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 whereas beneath the affect. He knew his means to drive was impaired and he might injure or kill somebody.
The jury discovered Tidwell guilty of two counts of second-degree homicide. Tidwell was sentenced to 45 years to life in jail, with the chance of parole. It had solely been two and-a-half years since dropping Phil and Scott, and our feelings have been nonetheless very uncooked, however all of us felt that justice had been served.
However, in December of 2024, Tidwell, 55, utilized for parole beneath California’s Elderly Parole Law after serving simply 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 advisable 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 the very least 20 years on their sentence to use for parole.
(There is a proposed invoice to raise the minimal age for aged parole to 65 years previous, however it has not but handed.)
Sign up for the California Morning Report publication
California’s prime information, sports activities and leisure delivered to your inbox each day.
Thanks for signing up!
Fortunately, Tidwell had some infractions whereas being incarcerated, and was denied.
But solely 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 but. His parole nonetheless must be accredited by Governor Newsom. We have reached out to him, in addition to to state legislators, asking them to help.
This shouldn’t be a partisan difficulty. It’s about justice for wounds that haven’t but healed — and an “elderly” parole system that’s letting too many severe criminals off the hook.
Bob Blanck is a trainer and a former volunteer with the San Gorgonio Search and Rescue Team.
