CHP honors Nicholas Anderson who pulled five passengers from burning vehicle

REDWAY – “We would have had seven fatalities.” Those were the words from CHP Lieutenant Commander Randy England, who recognized San Francisco resident Nicholas Anderson for pulling five people from a burning car.
“When I came in, in the morning, I was in a really bad mood to know that there was two fatalities,” England said, “and then to hear the story of how there was five lives saved that night just because of a Good Samaritan that risked his own safety. And then to see the results and have Jacob here [Wednesday], it’s pretty incredible.”
Nicholas Anderson and his girlfriend Tracy weren’t even supposed to be on Highway 101 after midnight last May 26th. The couple was heading to a family reunion and had to turn back because the gas station pumps in Laytonville weren’t working.
But they saw a wreck and pulled over just north of Reynolds Highway in Mendocino County.
That’s where the driver of a Ford Bronco had allowed his SUV to veer in to the southbound lane and struck a Dodge Ram truck driven by Gilberto Delgado.
Both vehicles caught fire, and Anderson’s instincts kicked in. He reached in to the burning truck and pulled its five passengers out. Both drivers were trapped and died on scene.
One of those Anderson saved was a Fortuna boy named Jacob. He watched with his mom as Garberville Area CHP honored the man who saved his life with a certificate of recognition.
In response to all the attention, Anderson said he’s just glad to get to watch Jacob grow up.
“We’ve been able to gain new friends and family in our life. Jacob and his mom are now a part of our life and it’s been great,” Anderson said. “So, it’s nice to come up here and it’s nice to be in this situation where we can celebrate Jacob being alive so that’s been nice.”
Jacob said it felt good to see Anderson recognized for his act of heroism.
Standing next to his brother, Daniel, and wearing a CHP Junior Officer badge, the 8-year-old had this simple message for his friend Nick, “Thank you.”