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# Okinawa employee helps accident victim

By Jake JoyDLA Disposition Services Public Affairs

                BATTLE CREEK, Mich.  –              
It was a Wednesday in May like any other. Eric Marley had just finished with family dinner at his home in Okinawa and began washing up when, suddenly, his wife ran into the bathroom, screaming that people out in front of their house needed help.

The Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services environmental protection specialist and former sailor immediately grabbed his shoes and ran out the front door, where onlookers stood crowded on the sidewalk watching a small group of local women and one Marine trying to lift the bumper of a car that had stopped in the street. 

“I had a bit of a ‘Saving Private Ryan’ moment where everything just kind of slowed down,” Marley said. “I kind of pushed someone out of the way and took their spot on the bumper and ... I don’t know ... by the grace of God, within five seconds of touching that bumper we had that thing deadlifted and moved forward about three or four feet.”

An 8-year-old boy had been pinned underneath the car’s rear axle. Witnesses later said the boy had run out into the street and the driver couldn’t react fast enough, running him over. Marley said he and a Marine that had helped lift the vehicle remained with the boy until first responders arrived. They were careful to not jostle him as they removed his shirt to check for any significant bleeding.

“I saw his feet moving, so I knew he hadn’t been paralyzed,” Marley said. “He was crying, so I knew his airway wasn’t restricted.”

                DLA Disposition Services Environmental Protection Specialist Eric Marley and family.                            240520-D-D0441-5432                            DLA Disposition Services Environmental Protection Specialist Eric Marley and family.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Courtesy photoVIRIN: 240520-D-D0441-5432Marley said that during the wait for an ambulance, he held the boy’s hand and tried to give as much comfort as he could despite not speaking Japanese.

“I feel like I was just at the right place at the right time,” Marley said. “It’s our civic duty to help our fellow man. If that had been my daughter under the car, I sure hope someone would have done the same thing for her.”

When the incident happened, Marley had been assigned to the island for just a few months, having worked from an agency property disposal site in South Dakota for three years prior. Marley spent time in Japan previously as a security contractor and wanted to return with his wife and daughter.

“It’s Hawaii 2.0,” Marley said. “It’s very family friendly, with some of the most crystal-clear ocean you’ll ever see. It’s an awesome place to be with very respectful people. Okinawa’s really remarkable.”

Okinawa Area Manager Pat Leverett called Marley a seasoned employee that brought vast knowledge to the region team.

“Eric had previous jobs in safety, which I think may have played a huge impact in how well he handled such a tragic situation,” Leverett said. 

Marley said he needed a couple of days to decompress after the situation, but he’s just glad to have made a contribution. A local news reporter that had interviewed Marley at the scene had a connection at the local hospital and let him know that doctors expected the boy to make a full recovery.

“You hear those stories about a grandma picking up a car to save their grandkid,” Marley said. “I definitely believe in those kinds of stories now. This was one of those moments where I just knew there was no question about what had to be done.” 

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