Man to Be Honored for Pulling Motorist From Burning Car
A Baldwin Park man will be honored today with a plaque from the City Council for his bravery in pulling an unconscious driver from a burning car that had careened off the southbound San Gabriel River Freeway and down an embankment.
Tomas Montaya, 21, a student at Cal State Fullerton, will receive the award--the highest honor given by the city--in recognition of his actions in the Aug. 11 rescue, City Clerk Linda Gair said.
Montaya was driving home when he saw the car of Minh Vo, 25, of Monterey Park veer off the right side of the road. Montaya stopped and dashed down the embankment toward the car, which was in flames.
Montaya pulled Vo from the car and rolled him over to extinguish his burning clothes. The student suffered burns on his hands.
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