On Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 3:30 a.m. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lomita Station Deputy Dwayne Javier rescued a woman from a burning vehicle.
As Deputy Dwayne Javier was on his way back from transporting two juveniles to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, he came across a five car traffic collision on the Harbor (110) freeway, south of the San Diego (405) freeway; one of the vehicles had been turned the wrong way and was now facing oncoming traffic.
Deputy Javier could see one of the vehicle’s engines was completely engulfed in flames and the passenger’s side compartment was quickly filling with smoke. He could also see a young woman was trapped in the driver seat. When Deputy Javier approached the vehicle, he noticed the driver’s side door was jammed and would not open. Deputy Javier immediately sprang into action to save the woman’s life.
He used his window punch to break the driver’s side rear passenger window, in order to open the door. After several attempts, Deputy Javier pulled the woman from the car and led her to safety, with the help of some good Samaritans, moments before the entire car became engulfed in flames.
California Highway Patrol arrived to handle the traffic collision and traffic control. Los Angeles County Fire Department extinguished the flames. The trapped woman was transported to a local hospital for complaints of pain and was later released.
Any additional questions or comments should be directed to Lomita Sheriff’s Station Watch Commander at (310) 539-1661.
