CPD Officer and Good Samaritans rescue driver from burning car

Photo Courtesy: Flickr.com

Staff Reports

Corona – On Thurs., Mar. 5 at about 11:53 p.m., the Corona Police Department dispatched an Officer to the 1100 block of E. Foothill Parkway regarding a vehicle fire.

Upon arrival, Officer Michael Neff observed a white Ford Escape crashed into a tree with its engine compartment fully engulfed in flames. Two citizens were already on scene trying to render assistance to the trapped driver.
Officer Neff obtained a fire extinguisher from the trunk of his patrol vehicle and attempted to extinguish the fire.  Neff, citizen Kenneth Lee, and an unidentified person had just enough time to rescue the driver from the burning vehicle.

The Corona Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.

The driver was later identified as Nicole Edson, 35, of Corona. She was transported to Riverside Community Hospital with major injuries related to the traffic collision. Edson was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and was later arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Officer Neff, Kenneth Lee, and the unidentified citizen were not injured during the incident and are being commended for their actions.

The Corona Police Department is seeking information that will help identify the unknown person who assisted with the rescue. Please call Sergeant Paul Mercado at (951) 736-2280.