SOLEDAD — Monterey County Peace Officers Association has recognized Sgt. Brian Solis and Traffic Officer Mustafa Yasin of the Soledad Police Department with a Distinguished Service Award for their life-saving efforts.
While responding to a recent traffic accident right outside Soledad city limits, Solis and Yasin located a vehicle that struck a tree head-on and caught fire. Two occupants were in the car, and both officers immediately started rescue efforts.
“While attempting to gain access to the vehicle, they observed the driver to be unconscious and the passenger unconscious but breathing,” according to Soledad Police in a social media post Nov. 25. “Unfortunately, the driver succumbed to injuries on scene.”
As they continued their efforts, the officers saw the fire enter the passenger compartment and quickly engulf the passenger.
Police said Solis and Yasin were able to “break the window and started to physically, by hand and baton, push the passenger away from the flames to save his life.”
“We would like to recognize Sgt. Solis and Traffic Officer Yasin for their exceptional commitment to public safety and life-saving efforts,” stated police.
