This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A 19-year-old woman owes a Sandy police officer her life after he pulled her from a burning car early Friday morning — and when she gets out of the hospital, she also may owe a fine and jail time for allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger said the woman was driving west on Dimple Dell Road about 1 a.m. Friday when her car drifted off the left side of the road and crashed into a tree at 1626 East.

Police Officer Trevor McClelland arrived moments later, and seeing the car's engine compartment ablaze, he forced open the passenger's side door and pulled the half-conscious woman to safety.

Within seconds, the rest of the car was engulfed in flames, as well as the 30-foot pine tree she struck.

She was taken to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, where she was reported to be in serious condition.

Carriger said evidence at the scene indicated alcohol was a factor, and investigators will screen possible DUI charges once the woman is released from the hospital.

Twitter: @remims