CPR on The Loop: Pima County Parks Technician Saves Cyclist’s Life

PIMA COUNTY, AZ (February 17, 2026) — In a time when good news can feel scarce, this is the kind of story that reminds you what “community” really means — showing up for a stranger when seconds matter. It started as a typical morning for Josh Chavez.

Chavez, a parks technician at Pima County Parks & Recreation, spends his days working hard to keep the Chuck Huckelberry Loop safe for everyone who uses it. He keeps a sharp eye out for trash that might pose a hazard to riders, as well as coyotes that might leave their own unwanted traces on the trail.

But he never imagined his job might entail saving a person’s life.

It had rained the night before, and Chavez was riding his County cart near the Sunset Bridge, looking for mud or dirt that might need to be cleaned off the path. He and his team handle trail maintenance along a 15-mile segment of The Loop between Ina and Grant.

Then he spotted a rider in trouble.

Jeff McNally, a retired biology teacher, has been a regular cyclist on The Loop for years. As he was riding around a corner, he suddenly lost control of his bike.

“I looked at him, and it looked like his body just froze,” Chavez said. “His tire hit the dirt, and he just flew off his bike.”

Instinctively, Chavez sprang into action. He jumped from the cart and ran to McNally’s side.

“His breathing was not normal,” Chavez said. “I thought he’d had a heart attack.”

Chavez reached for his phone and called 911. The operator told him to perform CPR on McNally and instructed him how to perform chest compressions. Chavez spent the next 15 minutes doing just that, until the emergency team arrived and took over.

For McNally, those 15 minutes may have made all the difference. After the accident, he spent more than six weeks in rehabilitation. He wasn’t sure if he would even walk again.

Not only has McNally recovered, but he just completed his third ride since the accident, a 20-mile trip. He has also decided to move to Florida to spend more time with his family – a decision he said was partly inspired by his life-threatening experience.

“I’m thankful to have my life back,” he said. “I’m very grateful that Josh stopped.”

“In a moment where seconds matter, Josh demonstrated extraordinary courage, professionalism and selflessness,” said Parks & Recreation Director Victor Pereira. “He went above and beyond his Parks & Recreation duties and saved a life. His heroic actions reflect the very best of Pima County and the values we stand for. We are profoundly grateful he was there on that day.”

Recently, McNally had the opportunity to reunite with Chavez at the scene of the accident and thank him for saving his life.

“I don’t remember crashing,” he said. “I don’t remember anything. So, to have the opportunity to meet Josh and thank him, it was very emotional.”

For Chavez, the experience left him with a new appreciation for the importance of knowing CPR. It’s also made him look at the trail he knows so well in a new way.

“You never know what’s going to happen next,” he said.