In a remarkable turn of events in Portland, Oregon, Mike Phung, an Oregon City resident and part-time Uber driver, found himself at the center of a life-changing incident.
While driving south toward Lake Oswego on Highway 43, Phung witnessed a head-on crash unfold right before his eyes, an event captured by his dashcam.
“It just took me by surprise, obviously. It was crazy. It was absolutely crazy,” he recalled.
On that rainy October morning, Phung, a seasoned combat medic with multiple tours in Iraq, faced a critical life and death situation.
Despite nursing a broken arm himself, his instincts and training immediately kicked in.
Phung described the moment: “For a split second, in my head, I was thinking, ‘Where are you? What is going on?’ I was thinking to myself, you’re right back in it, you know. Just for a split second, and after that I realized it’s go time, it’s time to rock and roll.”
The aftermath of the collision was dire, with both cars ablaze.
The BMW driver managed to escape with minor injuries, but the Subaru driver, Holly Morris, was trapped.
Phung, undeterred by the flames, rushed to her aid.
“So, I run towards the vehicles, the two burning vehicles and both her front doors were damaged, where I couldn’t open them,” he said.
“And the whole time, she was screaming in pain. She was yelling in pain, and I kept telling her, ‘It’s OK honey, I know. But we gotta get out of here, both cars were on fire.’”
With the help of others, Phung successfully pulled Morris to safety from the burning wreckage.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office later determined that slick conditions caused the Subaru to lose control and hit the guardrail, leading to the accident.
Morris was rushed to OHSU with critical injuries.
Facing a long hospital stay without close family nearby, her situation seemed bleak.
But Phung, moved by her plight, made a compassionate decision. He visited her in the hospital, a gesture that left a lasting impression on Morris.
“I remember his voice through the whole wreck, the whole time. Like, ‘we gotta get this going. We gotta get her out of the car,’” Morris said.
“And, like, he saved my life, like straight up, and I’m so appreciative of him.”
Phung’s kindness didn’t stop at the hospital visit.
He and his family continued to check on Morris, celebrating her birthday and including her in their holiday celebrations.
Nearly four months later, Morris, now affectionately known as “Auntie Holly,” is considered a part of Phung’s family, a heartwarming outcome stemming from that fateful crash and their initial hospital encounter.
Morris vividly recalls the crash and Phung’s heroic actions.
“It was just really scary, and I felt like I was dying. And then, Mike came out of nowhere,” she said.
“He literally calmed me down to make me, like recline the seat and unlock the back door, and luckily that door opened and he was able to pull me out.”
Her recovery, supported by her newfound Oregon family, is filled with immense gratitude, especially towards Phung, her guardian angel.
“He didn’t think twice about saving my life, and I don’t know what I would have done if he wasn’t there. I probably would have died,” she expressed.
Morris’s recovery has been slow but steady, involving more than three months in the hospital and multiple surgeries.
Meanwhile, Phung’s bravery and selflessness have not gone unnoticed.
The Lake Oswego Police Department recently honored him with their Community Service Award, a fitting recognition for his heroic actions.
This story of courage, compassion, and the unexpected bond formed in the face of adversity shows us the resistance of the human spirit.
It reminds us that sometimes, the most challenging moments can lead to the most profound and life-changing connections.
To see Mike jump into action following the accident watch the video below.
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