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Christopher Wheeler
WFSA Screnshot
Christopher Wheeler, 10, of Montgomery, Alabama was headed to an area scrap yard Thursday, with an elderly neighbor when the 70-year-old driver began having a diabetic seizure and lost control of the wheel.
“He got sick and he was swerving across the road,” Christopher told WFSA. “He started getting sweaty and said he needed a piece of candy.”
As the car began heading toward oncoming traffic, the third grader grabbed the wheel and steering the car to safety.
According to the news station, Christopher and his neighbor, Mr. Mitch, were on Interstate 65 when the driver began fading in and out of consciousness.
Special Agent Eric Salvador was heading north on the interstate when he noticed the truck weaving and running cars off the road.
“It almost hit the center wall several times,” Salvador told the news station.
Salvador turned on his police lights to try and get the truck to pull over to no avail. Because the truck bed was filled with items, Salvador couldn’t see who was inside the truck. Other officers joined in the pursuit, which reportedly lasted some 10 miles, according to the news station.
The truck finally pulled off the interstate and came to a stop and police were shocked to learn who had taken over control of the wheel.
“I didn’t want us to die,” Christopher said. “The police were behind us the whole time with their lights on. I told him to stop, and he kept going. I put my foot on the brake, and I got the steering wheel and pulled it over and put it in park.”
Christopher with Agent Salvador (L) and Trooper Walls.
When police approached the truck a terrified Christopher told them he wanted to go home.
“I’m speechless because he saved a lot of lives. From what he told me about what happened, there could have been accidents. They could have been hurt or killed or someone else,” Mary Lee told the news station. “I’m so proud of him. He likes to work and likes to help people. This is something he does all of the time.”
Mr. Mitch is reportedly doing well and in good condition, the news station reports.
“Without the heroism of that child, I think they would have crashed off the road or into another vehicle. I think he saved a lot of lives out there,” Salvador told the news station. “I’ve been in law enforcement eight years and I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Christopher told WFSA that he’s considering a future career in law enforcement.
“I want to help people,” he said.
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