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Car Bursts Into Flames After Colliding With Napa Street Sweeper

NAPA (CBS SF) -- A Napa woman was seriously injured Friday afternoon when her vehicle struck a turning street sweeper and burst into flames, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The woman, 33-year-old Melissa Alvarez, was driving north with her 3-year-old son on state Highway 221 south of Streblow Drive just after 1 p.m. when the collision occurred, according to the CHP.

A street sweeper that was also traveling north on the highway turned left to make a U-turn in front of Alvarez's vehicle, and she struck the left front corner of the street sweeper, CHP officials said.

The engine compartment of Alvarez's car caught fire, and the street sweeper's driver helped Alvarez and her son out of the car just before it became fully engulfed in flames.

The driver of the street sweeper, which sustained some moderate fire damage, suffered moderate injuries in the incident and Alvarez suffered major injuries. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Northbound state Highway 221 was closed for just under 90 minutes by the incident.

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