Texas cops rescue driver from burning SUV
MESQUITE, Texas -- Two Dallas-area police officers were being praised for their heroism after pulling an unconscious man to safety who was trapped in a burning SUV.
The dramatic rescue early Sunday on Interstate 30 was recorded by a police car's dashboard camera, CBS Dallas reported.
The footage, released Monday by the Mesquite Police Department, shows Officers Ryan Nielsen and Autumn Soto running toward the vehicle and forcing open the jammed driver's door, with help from a bystander.
The officers then dragged the driver, 25-year-old Hector Valles, away from the wreck. His family said Valles was hospitalized in critical condition with burns and broken bones.
"Hector is strong. He is a fighter. We are thankful to the Lord that he is here," his mother, Olivia Valles, said in a statement.
Both officers can be heard on the video shouting encouragement at Valles, telling him "you'll be alright."
Speaking with reporters Monday, the officers downplayed their bravery.
"You're there rooting for them," Nielsen said. "You're there working for them. You need them to make it."
"Just another day at work for us," Soto said. "It was four o'clock in the morning, we were getting ready to go to lunch. So you know, just another day."
Firefighters said Valles likely would have died if the officers hadn't acted quickly.
"It's a matter of seconds -- right where he was sitting was on fire," recalled Vancy Lay, a firefighter with the Mesquite Fire Department.
Lay said Valles was not only in danger from the flames, but also toxic smoke pouring from the vehicle. He estimated the temperature was 800 to 1,000 degrees near the burning SUV.
"They're not equipped for that," Lay said. "They don't have the proper attire to be doing that."
Soto and Nielsen said the incident is why they became police officers in the first place.
"It was of those deals where someone was looking out for him that day," said Nielsen.