In a moment of extraordinary bravery, Kerry Campbell acted on instinct and saved a young woman from a fiery car crash that unfolded in his La Mesa front yard. The incident, which occurred just before 1 a.m. on Baltimore Drive near Laport Street, could have ended tragically if not for Campbell’s swift and selfless actions.
A Fiery Wake-Up Call
Campbell and his wife were startled awake by the deafening sound of a crash. A Toyota Scion, traveling northbound, lost control, crossed the median, and collided with a tree before careening into Campbell’s front yard. The impact was so severe that shards of glass sprayed onto neighboring rooftops, and the vehicle ignited into a blaze.
“My wife and I hear a loud boom,” Campbell recounted. “I used one fire extinguisher and realized it wasn’t going to do anything. I went around to the driver’s side door, pried it open, and just pulled her out.”
A Life Saved
Campbell, clad only in boxers and bare feet, braved the flames to rescue the 25-year-old passenger. His doorbell camera captured the dramatic moments, including his wife’s panicked cries urging him to stay back. Despite the chaos, Campbell managed to pull the woman to safety.
“She was awake but not verbal,” Campbell said. “Clearly injured, but I didn’t see any blood.” Thanks to his actions, her injuries were not life-threatening.
Campbell credits his quick thinking to his Marine training from 26 years ago. “I wasn’t thinking about it. I just did what needed to be done,” he explained.
A Close Call for the Neighborhood
The fire, which reduced the car to a smoldering shell, posed a significant threat to nearby homes. Neighbor Elizabeth Munn, terrified that the flames might spread, described the harrowing scene. “I was panicking because I have pets,” Munn said. “The car was almost completely engulfed in flames at that point. It was really scary.”
La Mesa police confirmed that the 20-year-old driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was arrested for driving under the influence.
