EPD Saves Unnamed, Unconscious Motorist

Muffler was glowing bright orange from extreme heat

Humboldt Sentinel
11/7/08
By Sentinel Staff

EUREKA -- A Eureka man is in the hospital this evening after being discovered in an exhaust-filled car on Fourth St. today.

Earlier this afternoon, Eureka Police Department officer Drake Goodale was riding through Old Town when he heard the sounds of a parked car loudly backfiring loudly in a nearby lot.

Goodale investigated and discovered a 1998 Dodge Durango running with its lights off and giving the appearance of being unoccupied. According to the officer on scene, the Dodge appeared to be about to catch fire due to a mechanical problem with its exhaust system that was causing its muffler to glow bright orange from extreme heat. Additionally, the heavy exhaust fumes were backfiring up into the passenger compartment, the doors and windows of which were closed.

Goodale proceeded to request assistance from the Eureka Fire Department due to the fire hazard. While awaiting EFD personnel, a second police officer not named by EPD checked the interior of the vehicle and found a 33-year-old male in the driver’s seat in a reclined position. The male was unconscious and convulsing due to the heavy exhaust fumes and carbon monoxide building up inside his vehicle.

Officers shut off the engine, opened the vehicle’s doors to clear out the fumes, and with some difficulty managed to eventually wake the man who was disorientated and in need of medical attention.

The male was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital for medical treatment and evaluation. He is expected to make a full recovery from his near brush with death. His name was not released by public information officer Murl Harpham, and calls to the EPD by the Sentinel were not returned by press time.