On their way to Lake Tahoe, a couple’s Christmas journey turned heroic as Staff Sgt. Ruben Tala rescued a stranded car and its occupants, ensuring everyone’s safety.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A couple heading to Lake Tahoe on Dec. 25 for their annual white Christmas tradition were in for a surprise when they saw a black car slide off the road.
According to ABC News, Staff Sgt. Ruben Tala pulled over, put his car in park and ran out to help, while Yvett Banares-Tala stayed inside with their baby.
Video of the scene shows Ruben Tala anchoring himself to the vehicle as he spoke with the driver and a passenger inside the car. Two small dogs were also in the vehicle.
After a few minutes, other good Samaritans stopped to help and Ruben Tala asked one of them to bring a rope, which was tied to the car to help stabilize it.
Once the car was secured, Ruben Tala and the others began helping the driver and passenger out of the vehicle one at a time. Yvett Banares-Tala said there were no injuries.
She said she called 911 as soon as they stopped to help. Emergency responders arrived less than 30 minutes later, after the people from the car were safe and the Talas had already left the scene.