Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Off-Duty Officer Pulls Man From Burning Car On The 405 [UPDATED]
Photo by J.D.S. via Shutterstock
()
Here's a heroic Christmas tale that will brighten your morning: An off-duty police officer saved a man's life yesterday after pulling him from a burning car.
Officer Don Thompson, who is a member of the LAPD's bomb squad, was driving to work on the 405 when he witnessed a Mercedes losing control and crashing into the center divider, according to City News Service. Thinking quickly, Thompson pulled over, got out of his car and jumped the median to get to the scene. When he arrived at the burning vehicle, he found a 72-year-old man slumped over the steering wheel and unresponsive. Thompson sprang into action, cutting the driver's seat belt with a pocket knife and pulling the man from the car as the flames inched closer.
"It doesn't feel real when you're doing something like that," Thompson told NBC 4. "You have to do something and save someone's life or you're going to watch someone burn to death alive and you just have to do what you have to do."
In the process, Thompson suffered first and second degree burns on his arms, but as he was starting to get overwhelmed by the flames, two other motorists reached in and helped Thompson with the daring rescue.
Support for LAist comes from
"He only had 10 to 15 seconds to be saved, and just out of the grace of God we had some good Samaritans there and he made it." Thompson said.
The driver is expected to survive, thanks to Thompson's badass bravery.
UPDATE 1 P.M.: KTLA is reporting that the driver that Thompson saved has been arrested on suspicion of DUI. The unidentified 72-year-old man was observed weaving across lanes on the 405 before crashing into the median.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist