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BWC: CHP officers pull unconscious man from burning vehicle

A small explosion was captured on dash cam footage right after the officers rescued the driver

LOS ANGELES — Body camera footage released by the California Highway Patrol shows officers rushing to save an unconscious man trapped inside a burning vehicle in South Los Angeles, CBS News reported.

The video, shared by CHP on social media, captures the moment officers arrive to find the car fully engulfed in flames.

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In the footage, one officer can be seen running toward the vehicle and using a baton to break the driver’s side window, where the man inside was unresponsive. A second officer quickly joins, and together they pull the driver from the burning vehicle and drag him to safety.

Seconds after the rescue, dashcam footage shows a small explosion erupting from the vehicle.

“In the face of danger, CHP - South Los Angeles officers acted without hesitation…” the department said in a statement.
“Their swift and courageous actions saved a life and prevented what could have been a tragedy.”

The rescued man’s current condition has not been made public, and investigators have not determined what caused the car to catch fire, according to the report.

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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com