As the Chronicle reports, Michael Finerty, the 52-year-old big rig driver from Concord who was involved in yesterday morning's fiery crash on Highway 101, owes his life to 22-year-old Keenia Williams of San Francisco. Williams was driving her daughter to school when saw the truck tip over and burst into flames in her rear view mirror.
Finerty was able to crawl out of the truck before collapsing amongst flames that were ignited by leaking diesel fuel. Williams quickly ran over into the flames and pulled him away from the fire. Finerty was treated for minor injuries at San Francisco General Hospital.
The crash was caused by a sedan that had lost control, hit a guard rail, and then another car, causing the big rig to flip over in an effort to avoid the crash. Finnerty was the only person hurt in the crash, which forced the closure of southbound 101 for more than six hours.
According to the Chronicle, San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White told Williams, "Seconds count in an accident like this, and without your bravery the situation would have been entirely different."
