A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was hit by a car after he pushed another man out of danger.
At a press conference Rony Bottex thanked Trooper Mithil Patel for saving his life, WPLG reported.
“Trooper Patel, thank you very, very much. And God bless you. And we are not friends, we are family. Not number one or number two. Family. Thank you. God bless you all,” said Bottex.
“Trooper Patel, without hesitation, took immediate action to push Mr. Bottex out of harm’s way, likely saving his life,” said Florida Highway Patrol Major Robert Chandler.
Bottex embraced Patel multiple times during the conference.
“If it wasn’t for you being there that day, my father wouldn’t be here,” said Bottex’s daughter, who also attended the conference.
Patel was released from the hospital on Dec. 4, a day after the crash.
Video from the scene shows Patel speaking with Bottex on the side of a highway in Hobe Sound, Florida, when a car spins towards them. Bottex has his back to the car, so Patel pushes him to the side and takes the impact.