I was waiting in line at McDonald’s when the car in front of me didn’t move forward. We beeped the horn, but the driver didn’t respond. I got out of the car to check if they were okay, but I found both the driver and passenger slumped over and unresponsive. We called 911.
The driver’s window was rolled down, so I reached in, turned off the car, and took the keys. I was shaking the driver and I tried rubbing the driver’s chest to wake him up, but he remained unresponsive. The passenger eventually started waking up, and I tried to explain to her that the driver was having a very hard time coming to.
The driver eventually began to regain consciousness too, but it was clear he was under the influence. I told them that we called someone to come check them out just to make sure they were okay. I tried to keep everything very friendly. They started asking for the keys, but I told them I didn’t have them. The woman got out of the car and started demanding me to give her the keys. At that point, the ambulance had arrived, and I ran over to them and handed them the keys because it seemed like the two were trying to leave. I left as quickly as possible.
I feel like I did the right thing, but I still feel bad about it. I was worried about them ,it seemed like they might have been overdosing, and I was also very concerned that if they drove away, they could seriously hurt themselves or someone else.
My boyfriend said I put myself in a dangerous situation, and I don’t disagree, but I really felt like I had to do something. I have a terrible stomachache.
Comments
I commend you. You did the right thing.
No, you did the right thing. Imagine they left, passed out, and struck someone killing them.
Calling 911 was indeed the right thing to do but I feel your moral obligation stopped there.
Snagging the keys was a baller move that may have indeed saved lives but that practice could have gone very wrong for you if these people were aggressive and had a weapon.
You acted like a hero
Ye. r/Suddenly911
Hero
I’m impressed! You DID do the right thing
You did the right thing. One thing about 911 is it is not an operator service… You didn’t mention it, but questions like ‘do you feel a pulse?’ ‘Is there signs of breathing?’, ‘How long have they seemed unresponsive?’… They probably already have EMTs enroute, and are relaying info to them so they aren’t walking in blind and can jump in faster.
Did you do the right thing? Yes. Was it also extremely dangerous? Yes.
Yes
You absolutely did the right thing by calling 911 and intervening to prevent a potential tragedy. Your actions showed concern for their well-being and prioritized safety for everyone, including yourself and others on the road. While it’s understandable to feel shaken and conflicted, you acted responsibly in a difficult situation. Your boyfriend’s concern for your safety is valid, but what you did reflects courage and care. Be kind to yourself, you made a choice to help, and that matters.
You definitely did the right thing. I found a guy passed out in a parking lot (not in a car)at the beach years ago and I called 911. I still feel a little guilty because I hope he didnt get in any legal trouble for public intoxication or whatever. But…what if he wasn’t drunk and his life was saved? What if I didn’t call then? In your case it’s even better that you called because they could have killed not only themselves but other people
You did the right thing, but I’m always stuck between “right” and “free”
They were so intoxicated they were passed out? Especially the driver?
100% you did the right thing.
1000%. You probably saved a couple lives, at least, tonight.
Yes, hero is you!
Glad you could reach the emergency service before the passenger got you.
You did the right thing. The right thing that not many would have done because you never know what kind of people you can meet in such an extraordinary situation like this. You got big ovaries.
Never regret trying to help someone that needs medical help.
For the last five years, I worked somewhere that welcomed everyone in and kept a free pantry in stock as well as harm reduction supplies. Because of that, I’m pretty well practiced in helping people who use drugs, including opioids.
You absolutely did the right thing. Honestly, it sounds like they were just dosed, not overdosing (unable to breathe), but regardless, not in a condition to be safely driving. Calling EMTs instead of cops is exactly what I would do. There are not many good options in a situation like this, and your response was the best way to keep everybody as safe as possible.
I don’t know how common opioids are where you live, but you may want to look into getting trained in and carrying narcan. It’s a nasal spray that reverses opioid effect, so if you do come across someone overdosing, you can spray their nose and within 2 minutes they will be breathing again. Obviously this particular situation was more complicated because they’re in a car, but if someone on the street needs help like this, you can often resolve it with a nose spray and no ambulance ride.
You did right.
If you contextualize it like saying that they could have easily drove off and entered into a fatal accident with, say, a mother and her children, I’d struggle to feel any remorse whatsoever. They may not appreciate you, but the potential victims whose life you just spared sure do.
You definitely did the right thing, they absolutely would have hurt someone driving so high that they fell asleep in a McDonald’s drive-thru. Don’t feel bad, seriously. They sound like they were on heroin.
you probably prevented someone from getting killed later that night by taking the keys , but 100% insanely risky for sure, I definitely would’ve called 911 but taking the keys and giving them to the emt is like some superman shit lol
You did the right thing and honestly I hope they both go to jail
Sounds like fentanyl. You definitely did the right thing. You saved some lives today. Including theirs.
You didn’t know they were on something and even if they were ODing or nodding off BEHIND THE WHEEL…you still acted for the greater good.
I agree that you absolutely did the right thing! It sounds like they both were probably on some kind of opioids. Girl you probably saved someone’s life. Driving under the influence whether alcohol or any substance is downright inconsiderate, reckless, selfish and just plain dumb.. Round of applause 👏👏
I’m really proud of you. This was the right choice.
Yes. Yes you did.
they put you in a dangerous situation not you. You did what had to be done.
you probably saved somebody’s life. 100% did the right thing, but it admittedly was dangerous. still, you did an amazing thing and should be proud of yourself.
have some chamomile tea to settle your tummy, brave stranger!
Are you fishing for compliments? Why would you be asking yourself that question?!
You did the right thing but definitely put your self in a dangerous situation, and those two will be going to jail at least, depending what they had on them.
I would have thrown the keys in the floorboard or something after calling the cops and just left.
Hmmm odd that both the driver and passenger were out like that.
Either way you did the right thing. They could have been under the influence or carbon monoxide poisoning. Any number of things. It’s best to get professionals involved.
You made the best of the bad situation they put themselves in. Shooting up in a drive thru is unbelievable
You did well, but I have to ask, did the McDs staff do nothing? Were they not at the window waiting, like, “sir? sir that’ll be 12.55$…” 🦗