CHP Officers Save Napa Man From Burning Car

Two California Highway Patrol officers and an unknown passerby pulled a Napa man out of a fiery car early Sunday morning, saving his life.

Napa CHP Officers M. Wilson and R. Siemens and the third person rescued Abraham Sanchez, 19, from his 2000 Honda, which had burst into flames after a 1 a.m. collision with a 1994 Dodge pick-up truck driven by Manuel Baltazar, 31, of Vallejo.

"Several citizens at the scene commented to the on-duty CHP Supervisor, Sgt. A. Rohner, that Sanchez would have been burned to death if it were not for the actions of Officers Wilson and Siemens," said Napa CHP Spokeswoman Anna Paulson in a report Sunday. 

According to the report, Baltazar was driving his 1994 Dodge pick-up truck on Highway 29 southbound, south of Highway 221 in the # 1 lane at a stated speed of 55 mph. 

Sanchez was driving his 2000 Honda sedan on Highway 29 southbound, south of Highway 221 at a high rate of speed and approaching the Dodge, the report said.

The front of the Honda collided with the rear of the Dodge, which caused Baltazar to lose control of the Dodge as it began spinning across both lanes of Highway 29, police said.

The Dodge came to rest on the right hand shoulder of Highway 29, facing the wrong direction.  Baltazar sustained moderate injuries and was subsequently transported to Queen of the Valley Medical Center by ground ambulance, police said.

The initial collision caused Sanchez to lose control of the Honda as well, and the Honda collided with the wood/metal guardrail in the center divider of Highway 29. 

The force of the impact caused the Honda to go over the guardrail and the front of the Honda collided with the large metal sign pole in the center divider, where it came to rest with Sanchez trapped in the vehicle.  The engine compartment of the Honda ignited and the fire began to spread.

Wilson and Siemens arrived on scene shortly after the call of a collision was broadcast.  When they arrived on scene, they observed the vehicle on fire and several citizens who had stopped, gathered around, police said.

Wilson retrieved the fire extinguisher from the trunk of the patrol vehicle and both officers ran to the Honda, which was partially engulfed in flames at this point and smoking heavily. 

The damage to the Honda from the collision was major and it was apparent that none of the doors would open.  Wilson emptied the contents of the fire extinguisher into the engine compartment of the Honda where the flames were coming from, which achieved the effect of temporarily knocking the flames down. 

Sanchez was still in the driver's seat and screaming "help me" over and over, the report said.

Both officers were able to approach the passenger compartment and Siemens broke the left rear passenger window out.  Both officers were attempting to pull Sanchez from his pinned position in the driver's seat when the flames regained strength and spread into the passenger compartment.

 The officers, with the assistance of an unknown citizen who left the scene after the incident, were able to pull Sanchez out of the broken driver's window as the flames fully engulfed the vehicle. 

Sanchez was transported to Queen of the Valley Medical Center by ground ambulance with major injuries.  Additionally, alcohol is suspected as a factor in this collision.

Sanchez was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and causing injury to another; however, he was subsequently released from custody for medical treatment, police said.