Good Samaritans Pull Man From Fiery 5 Freeway Wreck

BURBANK, CA — A motorist some good Samaritans pulled from a burning car on the Golden State (5) Freeway in Burbank Friday may have been arrested for his role in the traffic crash.

The crash on the northbound freeway at Burbank Boulevard occurred a little after 12:30 a.m. and forced the closure of the number one, two and three lanes of traffic for more than two hours, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The car had been going at least 100 miles per hour prior to the crash, said Burbank Fire Department Battalion Chief Ron Barone, who added that the motorist suffered only minor injuries.

CHP officers told ABC7 that a motorist in a black Camaro was speeding when it slammed into a concrete median and flipped over onto the other side of the freeway.

The car caught fire and some good Samaritans were able to pull the male driver out and check to confirm he was the vehicle's lone occupant.

One of the helpers included an off-duty Los Angeles police officer who witnessed the crash, Barone said.

Others used fire extinguishers and attempted to put the fire out, ABC7 reported, but were overtaken by the flames and got out of harm's way.

Paramedics rushed the injured motorist to the trauma center at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, according to a Burbank Fire Department dispatcher.

An arrest was made at 2:30 a.m. in connection with the traffic crash, the CHP reported.

City News Service