Brentwood Man Pulls Child From Burning Vehicle on Highway 4

A Brentwood man is being credited with saving a 3-year-old child after pulling her from a burning vehicle on Highway 4.

The crash occurred Tuesday at eastbound Highway 4 just prior to the I-160 connector in the City of Antioch which left a vehicle on its side and fully engulfed with flames (see video).

Troy White, 40 of Brentwood, explained as he approached the scene, he observed a lot of smoke and brake lights and was simply just trying to navigate the area safely but quickly realized it was a fresh crash with no emergency vehicles yet on scene.

“I intended to keep going because there were several people already stopped and out of their vehicles but my daughter who was with me noticed there were still people in the car so that alerted me,” said White. “I had to stop and assist.”

White pulled over and asked the bystanders if anyone else was in the car and they were unsure.

“I sprinted over there and as I was approaching the car, I saw someone climbing out of it but wanted to make sure no one else was in there,” explained White. “It’s a worse nightmare scene because you see a kid in a car seat. My first thought was make sure she was okay, you don’t want to move them in case they were hurt, the next thought was the car was on fire, she has to come out.”

He credits whoever installed the car scene with saving the child’s life because it was properly secured in and she only had superficial cuts and scrapes. The child was still in her seat strapped in even with the vehicle resting on its side.

“As I was attempting to free her, I heard the little girl and she was saying help me, help me, I don’t like this. I told her I was gonna get her out of there. At that point, I said to myself was getting her out of there,” explained White. “I have kids, I wasn’t going to let a kid burn in a car. It took me about 30-seconds to get her out.”

At that point, the girls mom came around the vehicle as flames began to engulf the vehicle.

“I handed her back to her mom and I told them they were going to be okay,” said White. “I left. I felt like my job was done and everyone was out of the vehicle. I was not seeking any accolades. I feel honored by god and it was my duty as a man and a human to help someone in need.”

White called it “divine intervention” because he was bringing his daughter home from soccer practice instead of his mom.

“I wasn’t supposed to be there, God switched the plans around last minute and the timing was perfect, that kid and the mother were not seriously hurt. The car went up in flames quickly. I am just thankful I was there,” explained White. “I recently gave myself to god and I pray everyday to allow me to give back and give me purpose because I am in recovery. I feel like I have been given a lot of grace by god now I look for ways to give back.”

White is also a former Marine and grew up in the City of Pittsburg. He credits his training for helping him keep calm.

Ashley Estrada, who is the child’s aunt, thanked White on social media. She also wanted to thank in publicly.

“On behalf of everyone in my family we would just like to publicly thank Troy for his heroic actions in saving the life of our sweet little girl,” said Estrada.

Shortly after the child was pulled from the vehicle, Contra Costa County Fire and CHP arrived on scene noting the rollover crash resulted in the vehicle off the roadway. They were able to put out the fire which blocked the Number 4 lane. A medical helicopter was original requested along with 3 AMR units, but the helicopter was cancelled.

The cause of the Highway 4 crash is still under investigation.

Other recent stories:

• May 19 – One Dead After Vehicle vs. Pedestrian Accident in Bay Point
• May 18 – Fire Chief Talks Contra Costa County “Level 0” Ambulance Services
• May 10 – 3 Airlifted, 4 Others Injured in Marsh Creek Road Vehicle Crash
• May 8 – Highway 4 Crash Sends 30-Gallons of Gas into Roadway