By Natalie Neysa Alund
The Daily Review
NEWARK, Calif. — Three Newark police officers were being commended Friday for rescuing an unconscious woman from a burning car after it slammed into a tree Thursday night.
Officers responded about 6 p.m. to the intersection of Cedar Boulevard and Cedar Court off Mowry Avenue for a report of a vehicle crash with a driver trapped inside the car, said Lt. Chowman Loath. Witnesses also told dispatchers the car had crashed into a tree and was on fire.
Officer Daniel Khairy arrived first and discovered the front end of a gray Audi sedan on fire and an unresponsive woman in the driver’s seat. He reported the fire was very intense and was concerned that the vehicle could explode, Loath said. But when Khairy tried get the driver out of the burning Audi, he discovered she was wedged inside.
Another officer, Gustavo Arroyo, arrived on scene and attempted to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. The fire went out for a brief period but reignited shortly after. Officer Tina Knutson then arrived to help and the trio cut the driver’s seat belt off and pulled her out of the burning vehicle, Loath said.
Fire crews then arrived on scene, put out the fire and transported the woman to a hospital to be treated for nonlife threatening injuries.
The driver, a 55-year-old Union City resident, remained hospitalized Friday in stable condition, Loath said.
The crash remained under investigation Friday, but Loath said speed may have been a factor in the wreck.
On Friday Newark Police Department issued a statement commending the officers’ actions and bravery “which saved the woman from further injury or death. We are extremely proud of the efforts and desire to protect and help the citizens of our community.”
Copyright 2014 The Daily Review