It was just about midnight June 23 and Mari DeGroote was settling down for the night.

She heard a loud crash outside and happened to pull back shades from a bathroom window and saw the running lights from a vehicle that had crashed into a wash across the street.

A critical care nurse for 28 years, DeGroote did not hesitate -- her professional persona kicked in and she headed out the door in flip-flops and pajamas, crossed the street and headed into the wash where the car had come to rest against a tree.

It was a moonlit night, so forgetting a flashlight was not too much of a hindrance, although her 20-year-old son Mike was close behind with a flashlight.

DeGroote heard a man’s voice saying they needed to get out and when she reached the vehicle she found the man in the passenger’s seat with cuts to his forehead and the driver, a woman, slumped unconscious across the front seats.

Neither was wearing a seat belt, according to DeGroote. She pulled the woman upright into the seat and found she was barely breathing and had facial trauma. She called back to confirm her husband had called 911 and help was on the way.

“I just held her head steady, keeping her airway open, until the medics got there,” DeGroote said.

It turned out that medically the man was in worse shape than the woman. Both spent some time in intensive care before being released.

The Town of Fountain Hills and Rural/Metro Fire took time at last week’s council meeting to recognize DeGroote for her efforts that night.

Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Dave Ott presented DeGroote with a Certificate of Citizen Recognition.

The certificate reads: “For action taken regarding injuries to occupants involved in a car accident on June 23, 2013 that could have made a difference in patient survival or prevented more serious injury.”

Mayor Linda Kavanagh thanked DeGroote and told her it was her understanding that her action made a big difference in the survival of at least one victim.

DeGroote said talking with neighbors the next day she discovered that most had heard the noise, but she is the only one who was able to see the vehicle in the wash.

“It is kind of nice to be off duty and be able to make a difference for someone,” DeGroote said.

A 23-year resident of Fountain Hills, DeGroote is a registered nurse working at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea hospital.

“I feel the leadership in this community is committed to excellence,” DeGroote told the council. “We would not want to live anywhere else.

“I appreciate that you have taken time to recognize the efforts of citizens.”