Harvard Police Department Sergeant Andrew Spielman (left) receives a commendation from Police Chief Mark Krause and Harvard Police Officer Julio Lara (right) also receives his commendation Chief Krause | Photo: City of Harvard.

Two Harvard police officers received commendations for saving the life of a 72-year-old man who was unconscious and not breathing following a car accident in December.

The Harvard Fire Protection District and Harvard Police Department responded December 11 to North Ayer Street and Sumner Street for a report of a two-vehicle crash.

Harvard Police Officer Julio Lara and Sergeant Andrew Spielman found one of the drivers, a 72-year-old Harvard man, unconscious and not breathing on the sidewalk near the scene.

The two officers applied an AED, which delivered a shock to the man, and administered CPR until paramedics arrived.

A Jeep Grand Cherokee was involved in a two-vehicle crash near Ayer and Sumner streets in Harvard December 11 | Photo: Alex Vucha.

Paramedics took over treatment and transported the man by ambulance to Mercy Harvard Hospital. He was later transferred to Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center in Janesville and then Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford for additional treatment.

The man was driving his vehicle eastbound when he experienced a medical emergency, police said. The man has since made a recovery from the incident, according to Harvard Police Chief Mark Krause.

Officer Lara and Sergeant Spielman received the commendations during Tuesday evening’s Harvard City Council meeting.

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