FREEWAY HEROES: Bystanders Rescue Driver After High-Speed Crash

Описание: SAN YSIDRO, Calif. — A driver narrowly survived a fiery crash early Sunday after several transients ran across Interstate 805 to pull him from his wrecked SUV just moments before it caught fire, according to witnesses.

The crash happened around 1:18 a.m. on southbound I-805, just north of San Ysidro Boulevard.

Witnesses said the SUV was traveling at a very high rate of speed before the driver suddenly cut across multiple lanes, went up an embankment, and slammed into a light pole.

One man driving a red sedan said the SUV came flying up behind him at what he estimated was at least 100 mph. He said he had to quickly swerve out of the way to avoid being hit, adding that his family was inside the vehicle with him at the time.

According to witnesses, several transients who were nearby ran across the freeway and helped pull the injured driver from the SUV after the crash. A few minutes later, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.

Initial dispatches suggested someone may have been trapped inside the burning vehicle, but that information was later found to be unfounded.

Witnesses at the scene said the driver appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, though that has not been confirmed by investigators.

The driver suffered head injuries and was transported to a local hospital. One witness said the man was lucky to be alive given the violent impact.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.