An Illinois man is being dubbed a good samaritan and a hero for taking action after noticing a man in another car who was having a seizure and was driving out of control.
The incident unfolded in Dixon, Illinois, on Friday afternoon when a car glided through a stoplight and nearly collided with other vehicles. That’s when Randy Tompkins, 39, jumped into action, hopping through the rogue car’s side window and putting the vehicle in park, WMAQ-TV reported.
The entire spectacle was caught on camera by a Dixon Police Department dash cam, with officers later praising Tompkins for helping a stranger in need.
“We want to thank Tompkins for his heroism and for coming to a complete stranger’s aid today,” the statement read.
Caught on camera: Passing motorist dives into moving car to save driver who was having a seizure pic.twitter.com/EuCHdGSaPE
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 5, 2017
According to SaukValley.com, Tompkins and his wife were taking a relaxing ride when the incident unfolded. As the couple sat at a stop light, they noticed a blue car suddenly coming toward them; Tompkins moved his truck out of the way just in time.
“I saw him come out from behind the traffic, and he almost hit me in my lane,” he told the outlet. “I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t realize he was having a seizure until he got to the intersection.”
Once Tomkins realized something serious was going on with the man in the other vehicle, he jumped into action.
Watch the dash cam video below and pay close attention to what happens at the 30-second mark:
Dash cam video shows witness heroically diving through open window to stop car driving wrong way; driver was found to be having a seizure. pic.twitter.com/6r7lQtvCNK
— ABC News (@ABC) June 3, 2017
“My adrenaline was pumping, and I just reacted,” he told SaukValley.com.
The driver was taken to a local hospital and is reportedly fine.