In Encino, Los Angeles, a catastrophic car crash that occurred on February 20 tragically claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl who was trapped in the back seat of the burning vehicle. Body cam footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department vividly captures the harrowing rescue effort made by police officers to save two other teenagers before the car was engulfed in flames.
The incident unfolded after a Toyota Camry driven by a 14-year-old collided with a traffic light pole near Ventura and Balboa Boulevards. The released video shows officers breaking the car’s window to rescue the two passengers in the front. As they dragged them to safety, they learned from one of the rescued teens that a third passenger was pinned beneath the driver’s seat.
Despite valiant efforts by the officers and a bystander, the rapidly escalating fire prevented them from freeing the 16-year-old girl in the back seat, leading to her tragic death at the scene.
The witness, Howard Raishbrook, recalled the intensity of the flames which ultimately overtook the vehicle and the heartbreaking realization of the victim’s proximity during her final moments.
The survivors of the crash have been identified as the juvenile driver and an 18-year-old passenger. Authorities have withheld their names due to privacy concerns.
Prior to the accident, the vehicle attracted police attention for driving without headlights.
Source: NBC Southern California
