LIVE OAK, Calif. -- On the side of the winding road that is East Cliff Drive, you'll find pieces of metal, half of a bumper and a cracked mirror. It's all that's left after a night of partying, burned up in flames.
"I was at the right place at the right time," said California Highway Patrol Officer Chad Jesse.
Officer Jesse was on a routine traffic stop down the road when he heard the loud crash. According to CHP, not only was 19 year old Brianna Delaney texting and driving she was also drunk. CHP said that caused her to swerve off the road, hitting a curb and driving straight into a tree.
"I noticed the vehicle was into the tree and flames coming out," said Officer Jesse.
Officer Jesse said when he got to the car the front doors were stuck and the driver was unresponsive. The only way to get the driver out was to climb into the car and pull her out through the backseat.
"Anytime you have to go into a car that's on fire obviously your instincts are telling you to stay away, but I knew I had go in there and get her out," said Jesse.
Good Samaritans, Kyle Wiensinger and Nicholas Jackson saw Officer Jesse trying to save the driver, and ran to help
"It was like something out of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. It was intense," said Jackson.
"If the vehicle were left to burn for 2 more minutes and she couldn't get out she would've burned with it for sure," said Officer Jesse.
If you're thinking that girl is lucky, you're not alone. However, her hero is humble and just hopes this is a lesson for anyone thinking about drinking and getting behind the wheel or texting and driving.
Delaney was taken to the hospital and treated. She was then arrested and taken to the Santa Cruz County Jail.
