San Francisco Good Samaritans Honored For Burning Car Rescue
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Three San Franciscans and one police officer were recognized at City Hall Monday for rescuing a man from a burning car last week.
Cab driver Amwar Ghanam, and hotel workers Justin Taylor and Leo Volobrynsky, along with Officer Daniel Solorzano were honored for their bravery when last Monday morning an alleged drunk driver slammed into a light pole at 13th and Folsom igniting his engine.
Volobrynsky was just leaving a nearby bar when he saw the car spin out of control and crash.
"The hood was already on fire," said Volobrynsky. "It was really scary because we could see his head in the fumes and lights from the hood, but the fire didn't enter the car yet. That's when police showed up and they started yelling at us that we were doing everything right, but we should just get away right now."
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
At that point they had already broken out the passenger side windows to vent the smoke which police say likely saved the man's life. Fire Chief Joanne Hayes White said by the time emergency crews arrived, the hard part was already done.
"Seconds really counted, and these three gentlemen, Amwar, Leo and Justin, really went to work right away," said Hayes White. "Amwar stopped his cab when he noticed what was happening. The car was fully engulfed in flame, and it was a great risk to his life, as well as Justin and Leo's but they went to work to get a stranger out of a car."
While the three civilians already have jobs, both the fire and police chief said that if they want join either force, San Francisco would be happy to have them.
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