10/16/2026
HEROIC ACTIONS SAVE A LIFE FROM A BURNING VEHICLE
This morning, October 16, 2026, at approximately 6:40 a.m., the CHP Chico Communications Center began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting an overturned vehicle that was on fire on the southbound Nicolaus Avenue offramp from State Route 70 in Sutter County. The vehicle was occupied, and the female driver was trapped inside.
Several Good Samaritans stopped to assist, along with two off-duty California State Parks Officers who arrived in a marked patrol vehicle. The officers were on the way to a training class when they saw the smoke and exited the freeway to investigate.
As the fire intensified, the State Parks officers attempted to extinguish the flames using fire extinguishers. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the fire began spreading from the front of the vehicle into the passenger compartment.
With flames rapidly advancing and the female unable to escape on her own, she managed to crawl toward the rear of the overturned vehicle.
Despite the rapidly spreading flames and extreme danger, the officer reached through a broken window, grabbed the female by her arm, and pulled her to safety.
Just seconds later, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames.
There is little doubt that without the immediate and courageous actions of these two State Parks officers, this incident could have ended in tragedy.
These officers were off duty. They could have remained bystanders. Instead, they ran toward danger, putting their own lives at risk to save someone they had never met.
THAT is what service, courage, and selflessness look like.
The men and women of CHP - Yuba-Sutter extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to these two California State Parks officers for their extraordinary actions this morning.
Because of their willingness to act when every second mattered, a woman is alive today.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear a badge, even when they're off duty. 🫡💙
