Marine Veterans Save Woman Moments Before Truck Engulfed in Flames

On the morning of Feb. 18, a terrifying accident on Arizona's U.S. 60 highway nearly ended in tragedy. A pickup truck, struck by a cement truck, rolled over and burst into flames, trapping the driver inside. What followed was a daring and life-saving rescue captured on dramatic bodycam footage.

A Fiery Crash and a Desperate Race Against Time

Just before 7 a.m., Chandler Police Motor Officer Brian Larison was riding his motorcycle along U.S. 60 near Val Vista when he came upon the wreckage. The pickup lay on its side, flames consuming its rear section, with a woman still trapped in the driver's seat. Without hesitation, Larison jumped into action, breaking the window with his baton to reach the stranded driver.

As Larison worked to free her, the truck suddenly shifted and crashed back onto all four wheels, increasing the urgency of the rescue. That's when fate intervened in the form of an unexpected ally — off-duty firefighter Asa Paguia, who was on his way to work and happened to be at the scene. Dressed in full firefighting gear, Paguia immediately stepped in to assist.

2 Veterans, 1 Mission

Both Larison and Paguia had something in common beyond their training — they were Marine veterans, conditioned to act decisively in high-pressure situations. With the flames spreading, the two men worked together to pull the driver — later identified as Aymee Ruiz — from the vehicle. Larison grabbed her legs while Paguia secured her torso, carrying her to safety in the highway median. Ruiz, understandably shaken, later described the horror of the experience, saying she truly believed she would burn alive before help arrived.

A Perfect Storm of Circumstances

The rescue was nothing short of miraculous. Paguia was running late that morning, something he rarely did. His firefighting gear was still in his vehicle from an overtime shift the day before — had he been on time or without his equipment, the situation could have turned out far differently. "As fate would have it, Asa had worked a partial overtime shift the day before, so he had his turnouts in the trunk of his vehicle," said Brady Casson, public information officer for the Peoria Fire Department, according to Fox News.

The entire rescue was recorded on bodycam footage, showing Larison barking orders for bystanders to clear the area before rushing toward the burning truck. The footage has since been shared widely, showcasing the bravery and selflessness of these two men.

Aftermath and Gratitude

Following the rescue, emergency medical services transported Ruiz to the hospital, where she was treated for injuries but was expected to make a full recovery.

Larison later reflected on the incident, saying his only thought was ensuring she survived. "The thought of human life perishing by flames. I just, you know, I was like, 'I cannot let this happen,'" Larison said, according to Fox News.

Both men have been hailed as heroes, though they insist they were just doing their jobs. Their actions that morning not only saved a life but also served as a reminder of the courage and dedication first responders and service members bring to their communities every day.

References: Police Officer and Off-Duty Fireman Save Woman from Burning Car in Dramatic Bodycam Footage: Watch | WATCH: Police officer, off-duty firefighter save woman from burning vehicle: 'Right place, right time'