Three Citizens Honored for Lifesaving Actions Following Fiery Eagan Crash That Killed 28-Year-Old Woman
Published: September 16, 2026.
EAGAN, MN: Three men who rushed toward a burning vehicle following a deadly crash in Eagan earlier this summer have been recognized for their actions that helped save the life of a critically injured passenger.
Oliver Boyce, Thomas Quiwonkpa and Trino Segovia II received Citizen Lifesaving Awards at the Eagan City Council meeting Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026, for their actions after the June 29, 2026, crash. The crash occurred at approximately 12:11 a.m. on the northbound Interstate 35E exit ramp to Lone Oak Road.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 2023 Honda CR-V was traveling northbound on I-35E before exiting toward Lone Oak Road when it left the roadway to the right. The SUV went airborne, struck a traffic signal, and became fully engulfed in flames. The driver, identified by the State Patrol as 28-year-old Vanessa Rae Dougherty of Eagan, was killed in the crash. A passenger, identified as 38-year-old Sabas Chavez of Conyers, Georgia, suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Regions Hospital.
Boyce, Quiwonkpa and Segovia came upon the crash and encountered the burning vehicle with Chavez still trapped inside. Despite the danger of the vehicle being engulfed in flames, the three men acted and pulled Chavez from the SUV.
Nearly three months later, Eagan officials said Chavez continues to fight for his life and credited the actions of the three men with giving him a chance to survive.
“Without hesitation, the three men took action, pulling the passenger from the burning vehicle,” the city said in announcing the awards. “He continues to fight for his life, but because of Oliver, Thomas, and Trino, he was given that chance.”
The City of Eagan said their willingness to enter a dangerous situation to help someone in need made “the difference between tragedy and survival.” During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the three men were formally recognized with Citizen Lifesaving Awards for their actions that morning. City officials described Boyce, Quiwonkpa and Segovia’s actions as demonstrating extraordinary courage and selflessness.
“Their actions reflect the very best of our values: Honor. Courage. Excellence,” the city said.
The recognition comes nearly three months after a crash that claimed Dougherty’s life and left Chavez with critical injuries. While the crash ended tragically for Dougherty, city officials said the immediate actions of Boyce, Quiwonkpa, and Segovia gave Chavez a chance to survive.
Written By: Will Wight
Images Provided By: Eagan Police Department/Facebook
