A Texas taqueria chain is facing backlash after a former employee says he was fired for calling an ambulance for a customer having a medical emergency—not for trying to help, but for allegedly not alerting his boss first.
In an Instagram video posted Tuesday, Eric Estrada said he was let go from Tacodeli after the incident on Friday, July 3. He said the customer had been bitten by a snake and was swelling, prompting him to call 911.
“Apparently I was supposed to call my manager, not call an ambulance even though this person needed help. He was asking for help,” Estrada said.
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t have any medical training. I just was an employee there. I was never trained on any of this stuff so I did what I thought was the right call, which was to get him help—someone who actually knew what they were doing.”
Fighting back tears, Estrada said he was frustrated because he believed he had done the right thing before asking his followers if anyone knew of places that were hiring.
Tacodeli first opened in Austin in 1999. Today, the restaurant chain has 13 locations around the state capital, Dallas, Houston and Plano. Estrada did not disclose which location he worked at.
In a statement to Chron, Tacodeli disputed Estrada’s claims:
“Those claims do not accurately represent the circumstances involved. Tacodeli does not discuss confidential personnel matters publicly, but employment decisions are made only after careful review and in accordance with our established policies. Our Guests’ and Employees’ safety are always at the forefront of our decisions.”
Since Tuesday, Estrada’s post has pulled in dozens of comments from people showing support and calling on Tacodeli to “do better.”
“I work in a medical office and the first thing we do when someone is having a medical emergency is TO CALL 911. My manager HELPS US DIAL THE PHONE. @tacodeli shame on you guys. He helped save a life and you guys fired him,” one person wrote.
Similarly, someone else said “as a nurse, you absolutely made the right call to get emergency help as requested by the injured customer. Time is of the essence for injuries such as snake bites, especially if they require anti venom therapy.”
“If I had gotten bit by a snake, I would HOPE someone would help me get to the hospital as fast as possible. In no way would I want someone to call their manager first…,” another commenter shared.
Estrada told Chron he was meeting with a lawyer and declined to comment.