Alejandro J. Muñoz helped to rescue Frances B. Coon from burning, San Lucas, California, January 16, 2004. Coon, 46, was the front-seat passenger in a sport utility vehicle that crashed on an interstate highway before dawn. The vehicle rolled over in the accident but came to rest upright, flames breaking out at its front end and spreading. Coon, injured and dazed, remained in her seat. Responding motorists included Muñoz, 31, truck driver. He attempted to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher while another responding motorist tried to open the front passenger door. Neither attempt was successful. As flames reached the vehicle’s dashboard, Muñoz and the other man entered the back of the vehicle and pulled Coon into the back seat area. They removed her from the vehicle through the left rear door and carried her away shortly before flames engulfed the interior of the vehicle. Coon required hospitalization for her injuries, which included minor burns, and she recovered.
77521 – 8880
77521-8880Obituary
Alejandro “Alex” de Jesus Muñoz, 45, of Fontana, Calif., passed away on May 2, 2018, in Fontana. He was born to Albert and Maria Muñoz on Oct. 10, 1972, in Los Angeles.
Muñoz was a brave man with a high regard for human life and helping others. In 2004, he received the Carnegie Hero Fund award for saving the life of a woman in danger. He was a hard worker and provided for his family by working for the Union Pacific Railroad for more than 10 years.
Muñoz adored his children and enjoyed playing and watching sports with them. While watching WWE was a favorite pastime for Muñoz, riding quads spoke to his more adventurous side. He was an avid sports fan, with his favorite teams being the Lakers, the 49ers, and the Dodgers.
He was buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Whittier, Calif.
(Edited from an obituary published in the Fontana Herald News, May 11, 2018.)