3 Hurt In Fiery Wreck Along PCH In Malibu; Racing May Be To Blame
MALIBU (CBS) — Three people were injured when a Dodge Viper that was possibly drag racing collided with a SUV -- containing a mother and her two young children -- and caught fire at the same time overturning the SUV.
The accident, which was reported about 12:26 p.m. Sunday, happened one mile north of Trancas Canyon near Zuma Beach along the eastbound Pacific Coast Highway.
At least one of the victims was reported to be in critical condition.
According to a Los Angeles County Fire Supervisor, authorities believe two vehicles -- both Dodge Vipers -- were drag racing prior to the accident.
A fire helicopter was sent to the crash site to transport at least one of the victims to an area hospital, halting traffic in both directions.
Louisa Hodge, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, talked to a Good Samaritan who was responsible for pulling three people to safety after the crash.
Lindy Winchell was talking her new Cabrio out for a spin with friend Grant Ibrahim. They witnessed the Viper hit the SUV head-on. "My friend Grant was a hero today. He saved people's lives."
Said Ibrahim, "After the hit, [the driver in the Viper] was traveling at such a high rate of speed that he actually did three or four complete 360s before completely coming to a stop."
After pulling the Viper driver to safety, the car burst into flames.
Ibrahim then ran to a flipped over SUV to get the two kids out. He told Hodge, "I got a rock and busted out the rear window. And then I pulled the children out. The woman, her legs were pretty badly broken, I just stabilized her legs as best as possible."
Winchell believes her little joy ride had divine intervention. "God put us in that situation to be there for them and have Grant save their lives."
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