Robstown officers rescue driver from burning vehicle after pursuit

“These two officers ran toward danger and they risked their own lives, to make sure that this individual gets to go home,” Chief Tamez said.

ROBSTOWN, Texas — A police pursuit in Robstown ended with officers rushing toward a burning vehicle to rescue the 18-year-old driver they had just been chasing.

The intense moments were captured on an officer’s dash and body camera, including the moment the vehicle catches fire and officers realize the driver is trapped inside.

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“The car is on fire,” an officer can be heard saying as he runs toward the wreck.

Robstown Police Chief Mike Tamez says Officers Danny Martinez and Joshua Rodriguez immediately went into action.

“These two officers ran toward danger and they risked their own lives, to make sure that this individual gets to go home,” Tamez said.

According to Tamez, the incident began when officers were alerted to a stolen vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 44 toward Robstown. An officer located the vehicle, verified the license plate and vehicle information, and attempted to make a traffic stop.

The driver did not stop and instead fled, leading officers on a pursuit.

The chase ended when the driver reached a T-intersection and lost control of the vehicle. The car flipped end over end before catching fire.

As the vehicle burned, officers ran toward the wreck and found the driver unconscious inside.

Tamez said the vehicle’s doors were locked and the windows were up, leaving officers with no easy way to get the driver out.

“The officers started to work to break the window to get access to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and while doing that, I think you can see in the video that the car is starting to get fully engulfed,” Tamez said.

Officers eventually broke through a window and were able to reach the driver. They then had to free him from his seatbelt while smoke and flames continued to spread.

Tamez said the officers were working in an extremely dangerous situation.

“But again, you know, they’re working in a very unpredictable situation that could potentially take their lives,” Tamez said. “I mean, you never know what’s gonna happen with the vehicle fire.”

The officers were eventually able to pull the driver from the burning vehicle.

The 18-year-old suffered injuries and was taken to the hospital. Tamez said he is expected to survive.

“Because of them and their actions, you know, this young man gets to go home to his family after he’s released from the hospital,” Tamez said.

Tamez said he later spoke with both officers about the rescue. He said neither wanted special recognition and both told him they were simply doing their jobs.

But the chief says their actions demonstrated the kind of courage he wants to see from his officers.

“When you risk your life so others may live, I mean, you know, truly, truly risk your life so that others may live,” Tamez said.

The driver is expected to face charges related to the incident from both Robstown police and the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to Tamez. He says the 18-year-old was previously in a pursuit with DPS earlier in the day in Corpus Christi.