Dramatic footage of two teens riding non-street-legal gas-powered bikes through an intersection in Salinas, California, has gone viral. It shows the teenagers — reportedly aged 15 and 16 — speeding through a red light at an intersection as oncoming traffic has a green. After what happens next, it’s a miracle everyone made it out alive.
According to Salinas’ news outlet, KSBW, the older teen — neither boy has been identified due to their age — sideswipes a car while moving through the intersection. As the clip shows, the boy’s e-bike then bursts into flames. In that instant, all the traffic stops as the other boy jumps from his bike to assist his friend, who has emerged from the flames on fire. Onlookers leap from their cars to help, as the burning boy and his friend desperately try to put the fire out on the boy’s leg.
The boy escaped relatively unharmed, the driver is a different matter
Reports say the fire was extinguished by the time first responders arrived. And incredibly, the boy on the e-bike only suffered a broken ankle. Police cited the boys and released them to their parents. As for the driver, Brianna Vargas, according to a GoFundMe, she had just purchased the car, and both the car and her belongings inside were a total loss.
Vargas’ GoFundMe says, “Brianna was taken to the hospital and, thankfully, she is stable. She was discharged with muscle aches, spasms, and pain that will take time to heal. Even though she’s out of the hospital, she is now left with no car, no personal items, and unexpected medical and recovery needs.”
One social media comment noted, “Good thing the other car didn’t have a kid in the back seat. One reckless call like that could have ended someone’s life’s smh His own as well. Catching on fire like that so quick.”
Speculating what caused the fire, another comment added, “Definitely a gasoline fire, but doesn’t mean the bike wasn’t electric. That kid was fortunate that his friend had the wherewithal to wrestle him to the ground and help strip off his burning clothes. The poor lady in the car was the real victim here, she lost her new car and everything in it to the ensuing fire.”
What to do if you’re in a similar situation
In the aftermath of a crash like the one in Salinas, experts say drivers should pull over as safely as possible, shut off the engine, evacuate all occupants, and move at least 100 feet away from the flames. Authorities caution against opening the hood, which can feed oxygen to the fire, and urge motorists to call 911 immediately.
If a person’s clothing catches fire, the long-taught rule still applies: stop, drop, and roll. Running only intensifies the flames — instead, hit the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll until the fire is out before seeking emergency medical care.
So, in a scenario involving both a burning vehicle and burning clothing, turn off the car, get everyone clear, smother any clothing fire by rolling, and call 911 without delay.
