CLAIREMONT (CBS 8) - A San Diego police officer is being called a hero after rushing into the scene of a flaming car wreck to pull the unconscious driver to safety.
The accident happened around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on eastbound Balboa Ave. near Clairemont Drive.
Officer Dionisio Medina saw the flames as he was driving west on Balboa Ave. He jumped into action, breaking the driver's side window and pulling the driver out. The man was unconscious but breathing and later came to.
The driver told police his Honda had broken down in the number one lane on eastbound Balboa Ave. when he was rear-ended by a pick-up truck. His car's gas tank ruptured and sparked the fire.
Lt. David Rohowits says Officer Medina was in the right place at the right time, and the driver likely would have died if not for Medina's heroic actions.
Both drivers were transported to local hospitals but are expected to be ok. Investigators say they do not believe any alcohol was involved.
Balboa Avenue was backed up in both directions for a few hours as police directed traffic away from the site of the crash.
