Car crash victim saved by smartphone, savvy officer

A driver whose car plummeted down a California hillside likely owes her life to a savvy police officer.

Melissa Vasquez was driving down a San Jose roadway when her car plunged 500 yards into a ravine, but was saved thanks to a piece of technology, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy.

Captain Brad McGibben of the San Jose Fire Department said she was ejected from her car and lying face down, unable to call for help.

"I can imagine it would be extremely scary, lonely, difficult position to be in," McGibben said.

Some 12 hours after the wreck, Vasquez was reported missing by her family.

OnStar, her car's navigation system, sent a signal that her Chevrolet Cruze had been involved in a crash.

The GPS signal sent rescuers to two locations, but they were unable to find Vasquez or her car.

"I asked the stepmother if she had an iPhone," Campbell police officer David Cameron said.

Cameron went to her family's home and was able to crack into her iPad.

"I made an educated guess based on a series of common numbers that people use for passwords and on the third attempt, I was able to get in," Cameron said.

Cameron used the Find My iPhone app to pinpoint her location.

Nineteen hours after the crash, Vasquez was found in the hillside. Crews had to cut through thick brush to get to her.

She was hoisted into a Coast Guard helicopter and flown to San Jose Regional Medical Center.