Newly available footage from a body camera shows the intense moment California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers bravely sprang into action to save an unconscious driver from a burning car in South Los Angeles.
The state agency released the video on Thursday, emphasizing the officers’ courageous actions during the incident on July 3.
The video shows an officer running toward a car already consumed by flames. Joined shortly after by fellow officers, the officer used a baton to break the driver’s side window before pulling an unconscious man to safety. Shortly after the rescue, a small explosion occurred on camera.
“Our officers on routine patrol came across this crash and immediately acted to check on the wellbeing of the person inside the burning vehicle,” CHP told Fox News Digital on Saturday.
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CHP stated that the driver may have “suffered some sort of medical issue that caused him to swerve off the freeway into an embankment and crash into a tree.” The crash then caused the car to ignite, the agency added.
FOX 11 Los Angeles reported that the responding officer, Sal Leon-Brito, was on routine patrol when he noticed a car that had crashed into a tree. By the time he arrived, the car was already engulfed in flames.
Leon-Brito told the local station that he acted instantly.
“I didn’t really consider what could happen to me, I just wanted to see if there was anyone still in the car,” he said.
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In the video, Leon-Brito ran toward the car as flames reached several feet into the air. He then used his baton to break several windows to check for passengers, FOX 11 reported.
“I took out my baton and broke the passenger side window. I didn’t see any passengers. Broke the rear window, didn’t see any passengers in the rear. It wasn’t until I broke the driver’s window that I saw a man unconscious,” Leon-Brito said.
His partner also appeared to help pull the man away from the fire. FOX 11 identified him as Officer Manuel Gonzalez.
CHP told Fox News Digital that the driver was quickly transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
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The two officers involved were recently honored for their service by the Elks Lodge, a “fraternal organization,” according to FOX 11. Viewers who watched the video online also commended the officers for their courageous actions.
“In the face of danger, CHP – South Los Angeles officers acted instantly, breaking the windows of a burning vehicle using their rapid containment batons to rescue an unconscious driver trapped inside,” the state agency said Thursday.
“Their quick and brave actions saved a life and prevented what could have been a tragedy,” CHP added.
“Recognition is nice, but I’m just here doing my job really,” Leon-Brito told FOX 11.
