State Traffic Officer

California Highway Patrol

6/25/1975

Special Act Award (Gold)

On June 6, 1975, California Highway Patrol Officer Wallace V. Baker was chasing a runaway speeder at more than 100 m.p.h. along Interstate 10 near Pamona. The errant driver lost control of his vehicle and it smashed into the rear of a station wagon that immediately burst into flames. At first, Officer Baker thought the driver of the wagon had the situation under control, as he saw him get out and assist a woman passenger from the burning vehicle. But then the driver tried to get back into the station wagon, where his wife was unconscious and trapped in the burning vehicle. The driver did his best but was driven back by the flames. Officer Baker helped the driver and the other woman passenger to safety, then ran back to the burning wreck, after making sure the speeder who had caused the accident was out of his own car and under restraint. Despite warnings of bystanders who had collected nearby, Officer Baker pushed his way inside and dragged the driver’s wife out. Fifteen seconds later, the fuel tank exploded.