A Pendleton man in a motorized wheelchair was struck by a U.S. Forest Service pickup Thursday afternoon in downtown Pendleton. An ambulance took the victim, Tim Landis, 66, to St. Anthony Hospital, Pendleton.

The large Ford Super Duty truck hit Landis at about 2:30 p.m. in the crosswalk on the north side of the intersection of Southwest First Street and Court Avenue. Vickie Leonard, 54, the driver of the pickup, was heading south on First and turning to enter westbound-only Court Avenue.

I just feel horrible, horrible, she said. I didnt see him with that big truck.

The hood of the Ford was taller than the wheelchair. Only the chairs small orange flag atop a black pole peaked above the grill once police sat the chair upright.

Jack Jasperson, Oregon National Guard recruiter in Pendleton, was on his way to an appointment with a possible enlister when he saw the truck on top of Landis. He pulled over on First Street and rushed to help.

My biggest concern was spurting blood from the side of his head, Jasperson.

Jasperson is a staff sergent and said he has military training in giving emergency aid. He grabbed a cloth and held that against the gushing wound while Pendleton police and ambulance crews arrived.

Landis was conscious and in pain throughout the rescue, and Jasperson worked to calm him. Landis yelled and shook when emergency workers used blocks and a hydraulic jack to lift the front of the pickup off the bottom of the wheelchair. My leg, my leg, he cried. And Jasperson stayed with Landis, reassured him, told him he was doing well.

After Landis was headed to the hospital, Jasperson said keeping someone calm is important and easy to forget about in the hurly-burly of the moment. He also said the fast response of the Pendleton Fire and Ambulance Department was impressive.

Larry Blanc, spokesman for St. Anthony Hospital, said Landis was in the diagnostic department Thursday where doctors were assessing him.

Contact Phil Wright at pwright@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0833.