West Covina : 7 Heroes Get CHP Award
Seven motorists who saved the lives of four people trapped in a burning car on the freeway will receive community service awards from the California Highway Patrol today.
They are Alvin Daniels, 32, Rancho Cucamonga; Roger Middleton, 35, Alhambra; Raul Mata, 30, West Covina; Alfonso Alvarado Jr., 20, Los Angeles; Richard Marshall, 26, San Bernardino; Salvador Araujo, 37, Los Angeles, and Pete Mena, 30, West Covina.
The seven were in separate vehicles when they witnessed a two-car collision July 6 blocking three eastbound lanes of the San Bernardino Freeway in West Covina, said CHP spokesman Trany Morton.
They rushed to the accident and pulled five people from one of the cars, which had burst into flames, Morton said. The occupants of the second car had apparently managed to get out on their own, he said.
One of the victims died later of internal injuries. But Morton said the seven Good Samaritans saved the lives of Maria Godinez, 30, Pomona; her daughter, Yesenia, 12; her son, Rogelio, 6, and another passenger, Rosa Palamino, 15.
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