Longtime St. Luke’s employee saves a life, gets opportunity for emotional reunion

For most of the diners on a recent Sunday at a restaurant in Nampa it was a routine afternoon meal.

For Sharon Sullivan, it was much more than that. 

“This is one of the most incredible days of my life,” Sullivan said. “To meet the person who saved my life, what an honor.”

There were more than a few tears shed that day, from both Sullivan and her daughter.

The two talked about how much love – and respect – they had for a man who was a total stranger just weeks before that afternoon meeting.

That man is Reuben DeKastle, who has been a St. Luke’s employee for more than 27 years. DeKastle is a longtime director of student services and educational opportunities, but prior to that he spent most of his career as a nurse in St. Luke’s operating rooms.

That clinical background proved to be especially important when Sullivan was in a serious accident on June 30 while driving down Garrity Boulevard in Nampa.

“She took out a light post, careened into the middle of the road and came to rest in the turning lane,” said DeKastle, who in a stroke of luck, was driving near the scene of the accident.

“I quickly realized that I was on my own to do whatever needed to be done,” DeKastle said.

The first obstacle was getting to Sullivan. Her car was mangled and the doors were locked, all the windows were intact.

“I couldn’t believe how tough those windows were,” DeKastle said.

After finally breaking a window to get in, DeKastle discovered that the impact of the accident had left Sullivan upside down, with her head in the foot compartment on the passenger side.

With the help of another woman who arrived on the scene, DeKastle was able to move Sullivan into the driver’s seat.

DeKastle then assessed Sullivan’s condition. He immediately knew what he was up against.

“She was as purple as anyone I’ve ever seen,” he said, realizing that the accident was caused because Sullivan had a cardiac event.