Napa woman seriously injured in collision with street sweeper

Woman, 33, and her toddler were in a northbound on Highway 221 when the street sweeper attempted to make a u-turn and pulled in front of her GMC Yukon, the CHP said.|
ELOÍSA RUANO GONZÁLEZ
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A Napa woman suffered major injuries Friday when her SUV slammed into a street sweeping vehicle and burst into flames, CHP officials said.

Melissa Alvarez, 33, and her toddler were heading north on Highway 221 near Streblow Drive in Napa around 1 p.m. when the street sweeper attempted to make a u-turn and pulled in front of her GMC Yukon, the CHP said.

The Yukon’s engine immediately caught fire, officers said. Harold Heinbigner, who was driving the sweeper, helped the woman and her 3-year-old son get out of the SUV before it became fully engulfed in flames, CHP said.

Alvarez was taken to Queen of the Valley Medical Center with major injuries. Her toddler suffered minor injuries, the CHP said.

Heinbigner, 59, was injured in the fire. He was taken to Queen of the Valley Medical Center with moderate injuries, the CHP said.

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