Salinas homeless man and CHP officer to be awarded for saving mom and son

A Salinas homeless man and a California Highway Patrol officer who worked together to save a mother and an 8-year-old boy from a terrifying crash Tuesday night will be honored.

CHP said the department is currently looking to a special award for both Rick Biddle and Officer Cavender, after the mother’s car veered off an embankment into a canal. Officers said the boy was rescued from the water by Officer Cavender, while his mother clung to Biddle’s jacket.

Officers said Abigail Vallardez, 28, of Hollister, was saved because of Biddle’s quick thinking to extend his jacket, preventing her from being swept further downstream. They also said Biddle’s dog heard Vallardez screaming for help.

“I ran out there he had a coat and I took my coat to her and told her to hold on. Finally the officer and I were able to pull her out. Without him she could’ve been there a lot longer. I couldn’t do it by myself,” said Rick Biddle.

CHP said the car was removed from the drainage ditch Thursday morning and officers are still trying to get more information from Vallardez, who said she was cut off by another vehicle.