Ailing Woman Rescued From Out-Of-Control Car In South Bay

CHULA VISTA, CA – Patrol officers rescued an unresponsive and ailing motorist today after she became trapped in her burning car following several solo crashes on South Bay streets.

The woman, apparently in the throes of some kind of medical distress, lost control of her Lexus sedan in the area of the 200 block of Broadway in Chula Vista about 8:15 a.m., sending it smashing into a parked vehicle, according to police.

The smoking Lexus continued on to the east and south -- at times on the wrong side of the road -- before crashing to a halt in a center median at F Street and Fourth Avenue, directly in front of Chula Vista police headquarters.

"The officers found the vehicle and attempted to stop the driver who was eastbound in the 300 block of F Street," Police said. "The driver did not stop and crashed into the center median at 4th and F Street, directly in front of the Police Department."

The car, wedged on the center divider with its engine revving and wheels still spinning, soon caught fire.

Realizing that the driver was stricken and unable to follow their directions to take her foot off the accelerator, officers broke a window on the vehicle and were able to pull her out and begin rendering first-aid. Paramedics then took the woman, whose name was withheld, to a hospital for further care and evaluation.

Three of the involved police personnel were treated for glass injuries to their hands and eyes.

"I am so proud of our officers' actions today," CVPD police Chief Roxana Kennedy said. "This is an example of the dangers our officers protect our community against.”

The chief credited them with saving the motorist's life and forestalling the possibility that her car could become dislodged from the median and "turn into a missile."

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--City News Service contributed to this report/Image via Chula Vista PD