Three Lathrop Police Services deputies are being lauded for their efforts that may have saved the life of a DUI driver who crashed his vehicle in front of Lathrop City Hall late Thanksgiving night.

According to Lathrop Police Chief Ryan Biederman, Terrick Faultner, 24, was driving under the influence when he lost control of his vehicle at the roundabout where Towne Centre Drive and McKee Boulevard intersection – adjacent to Lathrop City Hall.

Faultner’s vehicle overturned in the roundabout and he was trapped inside the vehicle as it caught fire – leaving the responding deputies to come up with a way to break him out of the car before he was overcome by the flames. Biedermann said that the deputies used everything in their disposal to try and break the window of the car before succeeding and pulling him to safety.

“It’s not easy to break the window of a car today because they’re made not to shatter – they’re tempered glass with laminate,” Biedermann said. “The three deputies used their feet, their batons, and everything they had to break the window and the put themselves in harm’s way to rescue this man from that vehicle.

“Even though he was suspected of driving under the influence, he is still a human being and his life is valuable and I’m proud of the work of those deputies to rescue him.”

The three deputies who are being considered for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office Lifesaving Medal are Chris Lee – who was previously partnered with Lathrop Deputy Chris Sterni who received numerous awards for his work in taking DUI drivers off of the streets – as well as deputies Jimmy Claude and Joel Grubb. Both Claude and Grubb were brought into patrol at Lathrop Police Services by Biedermann when he was reassigned as the interim police chief before the position became permanent.

Faultner was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries and was cited for driving under the influence.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.