San Antonio \u2014 SAN ANTONIO \u2014 A terrifying moment on a busy highway turned into a life-saving act of courage \u2014 all caught on camera.<\/p>\n
New details are emerging about a dramatic incident in early March along Loop 410 near Harry Wurzbach, where a driver lost control of his SUV after suffering a heart attack.<\/p>\n
Video shows the vehicle swerving across lanes of traffic, narrowly avoiding other drivers, including an 18-wheeler. Moments later, the SUV crashes into a concrete barrier \u2014 then rebounds back into moving traffic.<\/p>\n
Witnesses quickly realized something was wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh no! No! No! Somebody needs to stop him,\u201d one person can be heard saying in the video.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when one man made a split-second decision that likely saved a life.<\/p>\n
His name is Rene Villarreal. He’s a 29-year-old welding and construction business owner who lives on the Northeast Side.<\/p>\n
Villarreal says he positioned his pickup truck in front of the out-of-control SUV and slammed on his brakes, forcing the vehicle to stop.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just acted off instinct,\u201d Villarreal said. \u201cIt was too fast to really process. I\u2019m shocked.\u201d<\/p>\n
A nurse who witnessed the incident pulled over and began CPR. Paramedics arrived within 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
The driver \u2014 identified only as Ben for privacy reasons \u2014 had suffered a heart attack caused by 100 percent blockage. He spent six days in the hospital.<\/p>\n
His family says he is alive today because of Villarreal\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n
To thank him, they reached out to FOX SA\u2019s Cash for Kindness.<\/p>\n
During a surprise presentation, Villarreal was awarded $1,000, sponsored by Manuel and Sons A\/C and Heating<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cMan, I feel good. It feels great,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Despite the attention, Villarreal remains humble \u2014 still processing what happened that day.<\/p>\n \u201cBen, I hope you\u2019re doing good, man,\u201d he said. \u201cI faced it that day, and I\u2019m glad you\u2019re alright.\u201d<\/p>\n What started as chaos on a crowded highway ended with a stranger stepping in \u2014 and a life saved.<\/p>\n