SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — There wasn’t much time to think about the risk or the flames. A San Jose police officer had just seconds to reach into a vehicle as it was ablaze on the side of Highway 101 and pull an injured motorist to safety.
The rescue was captured on video and posted to Instagram by the crew of Engine 16 stationed in east San Jose.
READ MORE: Pleasanton Police Arrest 3 Teens After Attempted Armed Robbery at Stoneridge Mall
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Ross Lee, there were two vehicles involved in the crash at around 2:30 p.m. Sunday — a Dodge Ram 3500 and a 1997 Toyota Avalon.
READ MORE: COVID: Santa Clara County Opens Sites To Provide Pfizer Booster Shots
The Dodge was traveling in the southbound lanes when it was rear-ended by the Avalon. Both vehicles then careened to the shoulder of the freeway. As the fire started, the driver of the Dodge was able to pull his vehicle ahead and away from the blaze.
He attempted to get the injured driver out, but was unsuccessful.
Moments later on the arriving fire truck’s dash cam video, the San Jose police officer is seen running toward the burning vehicle. He pauses for only a moment before reaching into the vehicle as the flames — ignited in the damaged front end — began engulfing the car.
He pulled the injured victim out of the vehicle.
The fire crew said the injured driver was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital. The extent of the injuries have not been released. The officer and the other driver were not injured.
MORE NEWS: Gov. Newsom Declares Emergency in Shasta County Due to Fawn Fire
Fire crews extinguished the blaze. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.