A Marine acts quickly

A fast-thinking Marine takes quick and decisive action upon seeing another McDonald's customer in danger. The short story from 7/39 News:

Staff Sgt. Jamie Nicholson is being hailed a hero for what he did at the McDonald's in Clairemont at Balboa and Genesee avenues. Nicholson was in the drive-thru line placing his order over the McDonald's intercom when Sabio Barretto, 24, who was being waited on at the drive-thru window, dropped some change out his window. Barretto leaned out his window to retrieve the money and either stepped on the gas pedal or the idling vehicle pulled forward, trapping his head between the car and the exterior wall of the restaurant.

Nicholson told police what happened as he pulled into the drive thru.

"I was placing my order over the intercom, and then I heard the lady inside say, 'Oh, my God,' and kind of scream," said Nicholson.

It appeared that Barretto was in serious danger, said Nicholson.

"The door was hitting the building, so he was pinned between the door and the car, and it looked like it cut off his oxygen," said San Diego police officer Tim Peterson.

Nicholson acted quickly to save Barretto.

"I jumped out," said Nicholson. "He was turning blue, [so I] smashed the back window in, reached from the back seat, put the car in reverse car, backed up, just reassured him, told him everything would be all right, help was on the way."

Nicholson, who is a drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, said that unlike when he served four months in Iraq, he didn’t expect any trouble at the McDonald's Wednesday morning.

"Life-threatening situation at a McDonald's drive through is not something you'd expect everyday, that's for sure," said Nicholson.

San Diego Sgt. Andra Brown said Nicholson did everything right.

"He definitely is a hero," said Brown. "He took immediate action. He did not hesitate to get involved, saw that somebody's life was at risk, and it's not what you'd expect to find at McDonald's drive-thru, but he's a hero, he saved a guy's life today."

Barretto was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.