Pryor Teenager's Courage Helps Save Woman From Potential Tragedy

A Taco Bell employee intervened to save a customer who lost control of her vehicle while in the drive-thru Tuesday evening, Pryor Creek police said.

For employees at the Taco Bell in Pryor, Oklahoma, it was just another Tuesday night shift. “It was a pretty normal night,” employee Jaycee Johnson said.

That was until someone told Johnson something was wrong. “The girl at the window was saying, 'This lady needs help.' And I was like, 'What are you talking about?'” Johnson said.

Johnson said she was preparing an order when she looked out the restaurant window and saw a car moving uncontrollably.

“I saw the car hit the curb and I was like 'oh damn!' I was like, 'I have to go,'” Johnson recalled.

A woman was preparing dinner when she dropped change in the drive-thru, police said. When she tried to retrieve it, she became tangled in her seat belt while her car was driving, dragging her toward Highway 69, police said.

“The door was closed. It was closed by the seat belt that was wrapped around his arm. So I opened the door and I just jumped in and hit the brake; I put into park,” Johnson said.

Johnson said if she hadn't rushed to help, it could have been much worse.

“I was glad I was able to get out and stop the car before it got onto the highway. Because that would have been very bad for her and also for a lot of other people who were driving,” she said. she declared.

Pryor Creek Police Chief Jeremy Cantrell said he's proud to see people in his community willing to help others.

“A child was able to step up and think the way she did on guard, and in a high stress situation, and take action. She stepped up and is truly a hero in this case for this lady. And I think the lady would say the same thing,” Chief Cantrell said.

And Johnson hopes it might even spark a new friendship. “I want her in my future. And I'm very happy that I was able to help her and everything,” she said.

Chief Cantrell said the woman was examined at the scene and left with some scratches and bruises.

She is expected to be OK, and Johnson said she has remained in contact with the woman since.