Late one night, the Fremont, California, Police Department received a report of a single-vehicle rollover collision. The SUV was on fire with the driver trapped inside. Officer Jason Trzewieczynski was on his way to a different call when he recognized the incident was nearby and immediately responded to the scene. Upon arrival, the officer found the vehicle on its side, with a tree impaled through the engine and windshield and flames coming from the front of the SUV. Realizing the occupant was likely trapped, he grabbed his fire extinguisher and ran to the vehicle, making contact with the driver, who was yelling for help.

Officer Trzewieczynski attempted to put out the fire but soon discovered it was too large to extinguish. As the flames spread rapidly, he quickly opened the rear lift-gate of the vehicle and began lifesaving measures to safely extract the occupant. Despite smoke filling the SUV, Officer Trzewieczynski crawled into the vehicle until he could see and grab the driver’s hand. He pulled the driver out over three rows of seats to safety. Moments later, the interior of the SUV became fully engulfed in flames. Suffering from visible injuries, the driver was transported to the hospital for treatment.