Eric Estrada Says He Was Fired for Calling 911 After Snake Bite Incident
A former employee of Texas-based taco chain Tacodeli has claimed he was fired after calling 911 instead of contacting his manager when a customer was bitten by a snake outside one of the company’s restaurants.
The employee, Eric Estrada, said he believed he made the right decision because he had no medical training and wanted to ensure the customer received emergency medical care as quickly as possible.
Snake Bite Incident
According to Estrada, the incident occurred outside a Tacodeli location in Austin, Texas, when a customer was bitten by a snake. Unsure how serious the bite might be, Estrada immediately called 911 to request an ambulance.
Emergency responders arrived and treated the customer before transporting them to a hospital for further evaluation. The customer’s condition was not reported to be life-threatening.
Estrada later explained that he chose to call emergency services first because snake bites can be difficult to identify, and delaying treatment could put someone’s life at risk.
Employee Claims He Was Fired
Estrada alleges that shortly after the incident, he was dismissed from his job. He claims management told him he should have followed company protocol by notifying a manager before calling emergency services.
“I don’t have any medical training,” Estrada said in interviews following the incident. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”
His account quickly gained attention online, with many people arguing that contacting emergency services during a potential medical emergency was the safest course of action.
Tacodeli Responds
Tacodeli has disputed Estrada’s version of events. The company said he was not terminated solely for calling 911 and stated that its decision was based on a broader review of the circumstances and company policies.
The company also emphasized that it encourages employees to prioritize customer safety and said it takes emergency situations seriously.
Debate Over Emergency Response
The incident has sparked widespread discussion about workplace policies and how employees should respond during medical emergencies.
Many people believe workers should never hesitate to call emergency services when someone’s health could be in danger, while others argue businesses should have clear procedures that employees are trained to follow.
The case has become a reminder of the difficult decisions employees can face when unexpected emergencies occur on the job.
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