NAPA COUNTY — Passersby were recently commended by Napa area California Highway Patrol for their quick actions. The good samaritans helped pull a woman from a vehicle that caught fire after hitting a tree on Friday.
“Two passersby, that were driving in close proximity to this collision stopped to render aid,” Officer J. Paulson said. “It”s believed these citizens placed themselves at risk by breaking open the driver”s window, pulling (Darcelle) Chatoian from her vehicle preventing her from perishing in the fire.”
According to Paulson, at approximately 4:50 p.m. Friday, Chatoian, 45, of San Francisco, was traveling southbound on Highway 29 on Mount St. Helena, south of Lake County. He said for unknown reasons Chatoian failed to negotiate a left-hand curve and allowed the 2004 Ford Explorer she was driving to travel onto the north shoulder where it hit a tree. He said on impact the vehicle caught on fire with Chatoian still restrained in her seatbelt and semi-conscious in the driver”s seat.
Chatoian was transported via REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major injuries. Paulson said one of the citizens who assisted her was injured in the effort.
Traffic control was conducted for approximately two hours in the area of the crash.
