A fiery crash in the North Valley shut down part of Highway 99 for hours on Tuesday.
The California Highway Patrol says a big rig side-swiped a car below an overpass in Manteca. The big rig driver lost control and hit a guard rail and his cab detached from the trailer and the trailer burst into flames.
A witness, who is a medical assistant, ran into the thick of the accident to help the injured driver.
Sandra Gardere said, "Every time the tires would explode, I would hide behind the door and I'm keeping the pressure and I'm like, please don't be the gas tank 'cause I'm not leaving him, I'm not leaving him. Don't let it be the gas tank."
Crews spent more than 6 hours clearing the wreck and checking the overpass for structural safety.
The drive of the big rig was taken to the hospital by helicopter with major injuries. His condition is not known at this time.
The California Highway Patrol says a big rig side-swiped a car below an overpass in Manteca. The big rig driver lost control and hit a guard rail and his cab detached from the trailer and the trailer burst into flames.
A witness, who is a medical assistant, ran into the thick of the accident to help the injured driver.
Sandra Gardere said, "Every time the tires would explode, I would hide behind the door and I'm keeping the pressure and I'm like, please don't be the gas tank 'cause I'm not leaving him, I'm not leaving him. Don't let it be the gas tank."
Crews spent more than 6 hours clearing the wreck and checking the overpass for structural safety.
The drive of the big rig was taken to the hospital by helicopter with major injuries. His condition is not known at this time.