Veterinarians Recognized For Saving Life Of Man Who Stopped Breathing

By Sam Borcia, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Two veterinarians were awarded by the village board for performing CPR and saving the life of a man who was unconscious and not breathing in Lake Zurich last month.

Alex Schroth and John Hintermeister, who are both veterinarians, were honored during the Lake Zurich Village Board of Trustees last Monday. Mayor Tom Poynton presented Schroth and Hintermeister with lifesaving awards.

Schroth and Hintermeister, who are both trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), noticed Casey Komperda in distress last month in Lake Zurich. Lake Zurich Fire Chief David Pilgard said the two were fortunately close by and called 911.

They began performing “aggressive CPR” on Komperda after determining he did not have a pulse and was not breathing, Pilgard said.

Schroth and Hintermeister continued performing CPR until the fire department arrived and took over.

Paramedics transported Komperda to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.

Pilgard said that Komperda underwent angioplasty and stent work at the hospital. He was released approximately two days later.

Officials said Schroth and Hintermeister’s heroic actions contributed to the lifesaving resuscitation.

Komperda continues to undergo cardiac rehab but is doing much better.

“If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be here with my family. All the gratitude goes to them,” Komperda said.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.