Deputy Rescues Man in Fiery Crash

An off-duty sheriff’s deputy rescued a man from a burning car Sunday night in Mission Viejo, authorities said.

Claudio Fabris, 42, of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department was driving home with his family at 9:30 p.m. after an Easter dinner when he saw two vehicles collide at Marguerite and Santa Margarita parkways, police said.

Witnesses said one of the vehicles, a Ford pickup, was traveling west on Santa Margarita at high speed when it ran a red light and crashed into an Acura Integra going south on Marguerite. The Ford overturned and burst into flames, Sheriff’s Lt. Stan Jacquot said.

Fabris stopped and went to the aid of the truck’s driver. “I tried to pull him out, but he was pinned in there,” Fabris said. “I just wanted to get him out at all costs.”

The doors were stuck because the vehicle’s roof had collapsed. With help from three passersby, Fabris turned the vehicle upright and dragged the man out.

Paramedics took Fabris and the truck’s driver, a 21-year-old Anaheim man, to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo. Fabris was released after being treated for minor burns, cuts and smoke inhalation.

The driver, whose name was not released, was in intensive care Monday and may face charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, authorities said.

The driver of the Acura, 19-year-old Sarah Pederson of Laguna Niguel, was treated for multiple injuries and released.

The passenger in the Acura, 25-year-old Scott Gerber of San Juan Capistrano, was in intensive care Monday.

Fabris, who received the department’s Medal of Valor in 1990, said he expects to be back at work today.