Gionis Gives Medical Aid to Freeway Accident Victim

Dr. Thomas Gionis, shortly after a court hearing involving charges that he arranged the assault of his ex-wife, Aissa Wayne, found himself practicing medicine at roadside Friday afternoon.

Traveling on the Riverside Freeway in Anaheim, Gionis, a surgeon, joined other motorists who came to the aid of a man severely injured when a pickup truck overturned in the westbound lanes near the Costa Mesa Freeway interchange.

Gionis said the most seriously injured victim was bleeding profusely from a head wound and appeared to be turning blue from lack of oxygen. With the help of a nurse who also happened by the scene, Gionis said, he started first-aid, including forcing a ball-point pen between the man’s clenched teeth to clear a breathing passage.

Meanwhile, Gionis said his attorney, Catherine A. Vincent, spoke reassuringly to the man in Spanish until paramedics arrived. Gionis called the incident “a very rewarding experience.”

Anaheim Fire Battalion Chief Jan Hagan confirmed that Gionis was among the motorists who stopped at the accident scene to render help. He added, however, that he was not sure of what steps Gionis might have performed before paramedics arrived.