Cop saves alleged drunk driver from burning car in Escondido

ESCONDIDO (CNS) – A police officer pulled an unconscious, injured and allegedly drunken driver from a burning car following a two-vehicle crash that also injured two others early Sunday at an Escondido intersection.

The crash was around 1:30 a.m., when a suspected drunken driver in a gray Nissan Altima ran a red light while northbound on Broadway at West Valley Parkway. It struck a westbound tan Lincoln Navigator, according to Escondido police Lt. Justin Murphy.

Both vehicles came to a stop at the southeast corner of the sidewalk near City Hall, and the Nissan caught fire, Murphy said.

A police officer was dispatched and spotted the unconscious driver inside the burning Nissan and first tried to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher, but was unsuccessful. He then got into the burning car and pulled out the driver, who appeared to have sustained injuries to the head, Murphy said.

The Lincoln’s driver was also trapped inside following the crash and had to be cut out using the Jaws of Life, Murphy said. The SUV’s passenger was apparently able to get out.

All three people were taken to a hospital to be treated for multiple minor injuries.

The Nissan’s driver was later arrested for suspicion of felony drunken driving, Murphy said. His name was not immediately available.

Police asked anyone with information about the crash to call Officer Bruce “Tony” Masten of the Traffic Division at (760) 839-4424.