A Modesto woman owes her life to an unknown stranger … and the California Highway Patrol is hoping to identify the Good Samaritan.

Modesto CHP Public Information Officer Tom Olsen said officers received a call of an injury collision on Highway 108 east of Lancaster Road at 1:16 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20.

“When our crews arrived on scene, the vehicle was in a ditch, on the passenger side and it was on fire,” Olsen said.

The 2014 Toyota SUV was destroyed by the flames.

“A witness on scene said another person, a male adult, that is all the information we have, was helping and he was able to get the female out of the vehicle.”

Olsen said the woman was banging on the window of SUV as the car began to catch on fire, unable to get out.

“If you can imagine, a car on its side in a ditch, it would take a lot of strength to get out,” Olsen noted.

The unidentified Good Samaritan was able to get the woman out of the vehicle safely just before it was engulfed in flames.

“This person saved someone’s life,” Olsen said. “We want to reach out to this individual, we want to recognize them.”

The person may also have information pertinent to the investigation but, more so, Olsen said they want to make sure the heroic effort doesn’t go unrecognized.

“According to our officers, they (Good Samaritan) definitely saved the woman’s life,” added Olsen.

The unidentified person left the scene before police arrived but Olsen is hoping they will come forward; if anyone has information as to the possible identity of the man, they are asked to contact the Modesto CHP at 209-545-7440 and reference the accident investigation of Officer H. Walton.

Olsen said the 23-year-old female driver did not suffer any injuries. She was, however, evaluated at the scene and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence and booked at Stanislaus County Jail.