Hero Customer Saves Driver From Burning Car in North Hollywood

When Tyler Hawara heard the boom of a car crash outside his North Hollywood liquor store Tuesday morning, he had no idea a customer was about to save someone's life.

A Hyundai Ionic had sideswiped a power pole near Burbank Boulevard and Vineland Avenue around 11:30 a.m., ripping it completely from the ground. The impact was so severe that the electric vehicle burst into flames two to three minutes after the collision.

The driver was still trapped inside the smoking car when a customer from Circus Liquor sprang into action. Without hesitation, the Good Samaritan rushed to the wreckage and pulled the injured driver to safety before the flames took over.

"The driver was actually in the car, so they had to pull him out," Hawara recalled. "I believe the driver would have died if it weren't for that customer."

Video from the scene captured the intense fire engulfing the vehicle moments after the rescue. When Los Angeles firefighters arrived, they had to approach carefully because the electric battery posed additional risks, dousing the flames with water from a safe distance.

Sunny's Take

In a split-second moment that required both courage and quick thinking, an unnamed hero made the difference between tragedy and survival. This customer didn't wait for professionals or worry about their own safety. They saw someone in danger and acted.

The crash involved two vehicles and could have ended with devastating injuries or worse. Instead, both victims walked away with only minor injuries, thanks to one person's willingness to step up when it mattered most.

Sometimes heroism isn't about having special training or equipment. It's about recognizing when someone needs help and being brave enough to provide it, even when flames are spreading and seconds count.

A regular Tuesday morning errand became a lifesaving moment that reminded everyone watching what people are capable of when they choose courage over caution.