Watch CHP Officers Save Driver Before Burning SUV Explodes

Recently released body and dashboard camera footage captured California Highway Patrol officers pulling an unresponsive driver from an SUV that was engulfed in flames after a crash in South Los Angeles.

Source Officer.com News

Joe Vince

Oct. 13, 2025

2 min read

What to know

California Highway Patrol officers rescued an unconscious driver from a burning SUV after a July 3 crash in South Los Angeles that caused the vehicle to ignite and later explode.
Body and dashboard camera footage shows officers breaking windows with batons before pulling the unresponsive man to safety moments before the SUV was fully engulfed.
The agency credited the officers’ quick actions with saving the driver’s life, and two officers were later honored by the San Pedro Elks Lodge for their bravery.

California Highway Patrol officers rescued a driver from an SUV that caught fire and exploded following a crash in South Los Angeles on July 3.

The California Highway Patrol released body and dashboard camera footage of a dramatic July rescue as officers pulled an unconscious man from a burning SUV.

The rescue happened at about 10:40 p.m. July 3 after a driver crashed along the side of the road in South Los Angeles, KTLA-TV reports. Following the crash, the SUV caught fire, and the flames spread to a nearby tree.

In the video footage released Thursday, a responding officer is seen using a baton to try to smash a window, the agency stated in a news release. Other officers also reach the scene and also begin trying to smash open the windows.

Once the windows were shattered, officers were able to open a door and pull the unresponsive driver from the vehicle. Flames eventually engulfed the SUV, and the vehicle exploded.

"(Officers') swift and courageous actions saved a life and prevented what could have been a tragedy," the agency stated. "Every day, CHP officers embody our mission of Safety, Service, and Security, showing unwavering courage and compassion when it matters most."

Earlier this month, two of the officers in the incident were honored for their actions by the San Pedro Elks Lodge.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.