Passers-By Pull Dad, Child From Flipped, Fiery SUV On SR-37

NOVATO, CA — Fast-acting motorists saved a man and his 3-year-old child on July 4th after the two were trapped in their SUV which overturned and caught fire — following a solo-vehicle, suspected DUI crash — on State Route 37's Petaluma River Bridge near Novato, according to officials.

By the time California Highway Patrol and the Novato Fire Department crews arrived at the collision, logged Saturday at 3:30 p.m., the Chevy Tahoe was completely on fire and blocking all lanes, the CHP said.

"Prior to our arrival, a number of people who were stuck behind the crash quickly jumped into action and began working on getting both the driver and three-year-old child out of the vehicle as the vehicle began to catch fire," the department said. "The heroic effort and teamwork by those on scene meant all the difference, as the vehicle soon became fully engulfed."

The child suffered minor injuries in the crash. The father, meanwhile, initially reported as unconscious by witnesses, did regain consciousness prior to responders' arrival and displayed "obvious signs of alcohol intoxication," authorities said. He was taken to a local hospital for injuries and subsequently arrested for suspicion of felony driving under the influence and child endangerment.

"We are grateful that the injuries to the young child in the vehicle weren’t worse, but this is a situation that they never should have been placed in," the CHP said, noting Child Protective Services will be notified of the case.

Eastbound SR-37 lanes were closed for approximately 40 minutes as law enforcement cleared the wreckage.

"We know we sound like a broken record most of the time, but we’re going to keep saying the same things over and over in the hopes that it might sink in at some point. Please, do ... not ... drive ... while ... impaired," the agency said, adding: "Finally, we have to thank those that chose not to just sit and watch this disaster unfold, but instead jumped into action and worked together to rescue the two occupants"

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