The Antelope Valley Times

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UPDATED: Driver rescued from burning car in Palmdale [VIDEO]

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PALMDALE – Sheriff’s deputies early Thursday morning rescued a 28-year-old man who was stuck in a burning car after it crashed into a wall outside a home in Palmdale, authorities said.

The driver was transported to a hospital unconscious and in serious but stable condition, officials said. [LUIS MEZA]
The driver was transported to a hospital unconscious and in serious but stable condition, officials said. [LUIS MEZA]
The crash took place at the intersection of 20th Street East and Avenue R-8 about 1:15 a.m. Thursday, May 12, said Lt. Brian Dunn, the watch commander at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Palmdale station.

“We got the 911 call about a car crashing into a house,” Dunn said. “It turned out the car crashed through a cinder block wall outside the home.”

When deputies got to the scene, Dunn said, they found the driver unconscious behind the wheel of a black Mercedes CLK 500 and his male passenger injured but alert.

A passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was not cooperating with law enforcement, authorities said. [LUIS MEZA]
A passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries, authorities said. [LUIS MEZA]
“The car began smoking under the wheels and the passenger was able to get out of the vehicle on his own,” Dunn said. “The first deputy on the scene tried to open the door to get the driver out as the car started to burn but he couldn’t open the door, which was jammed.”

The deputy called for backup and two deputies arrived moments later, Dunn said.

“Those three deputies tried but failed to unjam the door,” Dunn said. “Finally, two of the deputies began pulling the driver out through the broken driver-side window, while the third deputy got into the car to free the man’s legs. And they did all this while the car was burning.”

Dunn said the driver was transported to a hospital unconscious and in serious but stable condition. The passenger suffered minor injuries. Los Angeles County firefighters put out the car fire.

Dunn said an investigation is underway to determine what caused the crash.

UPDATE: Deputies Zachary Marshall, Jeremy Carlisle and Jonathan Schnereger, and good Samaritan David Perez, are credited with rescuing the driver trapped in the burning car, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Schnereger was the first deputy on the scene, according to the news release, and when Schnereger radioed for help, deputies Carlisle and Marshall arrived within seconds.

The three deputies and a concerned neighbor, David Perez, worked together to pull the driver out of the burning car to safety, officials said in the news release. The motorist was hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

[VIDEO BY ED FROMMER]

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Filed Under: Palmdale

23 comments for "UPDATED: Driver rescued from burning car in Palmdale [VIDEO]"

  1. I was the passenger in the accident and I am very greatful for everyone responding they way they did
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  3. How come whenever there is bad press about the AV Deputies, everyone has a comment. When there is good press about them, only a few people comment. Good job Deputies

    • LOL…like there’s a shortage of people slavering for the chance to hump the leg. Get real. There isn’t even a shortage of law enforcement supporters when deputies are being properly tried and sent to jail for their crimes, there’s sure no shortage at a time like this.

  4. I just would like to say that the people making childish comments need to grow up. This posting is about the fact that people helped whether they are officers or not…We as people need to help each other…One day this might be you so don’t be so judgmental!! Someone’s life could have been taken…whether it was the driver’s mistake, road hazard or vehicle malfunction. The hero’s that took whatsoever risk to save these lives are heroes ….in addition to the occupants of the vehicle are still alive. That is all that should be mentioned…Shame on you for you thoughtless comments.

  6. GREAT job guys!! You rescued those men just in time.. Thank you for putting your lives on the line

  8. Thank you to the officers and the civilian who help save my cousin (passenger) and his friend. May God bless you all.

    • Calm down.. 3 officers, one concerned neighbor equals four. Relax. I love the all caps NOT just the deputies. So worried that the LEO’s got some good press.

        • Excuse me. Why would you say that, you do not know me at all. Why bother with this juvenile comment.

          Astonished I can add… WTF

  10. Mayor Ledford and Capt. Kneer… these deputies and citizen should be recognized for their bravery as they saved a life while putting theirs at risk.

  14. Hero police work! Thank you, officer, for putting your lives on the line. I hope these officers are recognized for their bravery. True heroes