Registered Nurse Hears Crash, Tries To Help Tulsa Victim

A Tulsa man jumped into action to try and save a driver who lost control and flipped their car Friday morning near 46th and Mingo.

Nick Owens said he was working in his garden around 2:00 a.m., trying to stay up for a nursing shift at the hospital, when, suddenly, he heard a truck speeding down 46th Street.

"By the time the vehicle had reached our back yard, I mean, it had to be highway speed, maybe more," he said.

Owens heard a loud crash and thought maybe he should do something.

6/23/2017 Related Story: Alcohol, Speed Factor In Tulsa Rollover Crash, Police Say

"My wife said 'No, you don't know who that is, you know. I don't think they crashed,' and I said 'I gotta go see,'" Owens said.

Owens said right after he heard the accident, he jumped over his fence and sprang into action.

"Stationary with lots of damage. It was upright, smoking, the bottom was glowing," Owens said.

Police said the vehicle blew through a guardrail, flipped several times and threw the driver out. Owens saw the victim lying face down in a pool of blood.

He said his nursing background came into good use.

"I feel as if...we don't move him in the next 30 seconds, he's gonna aspirate. He's gonna choke on his own blood," he said.

Owens and another Good Samaritan kept the victim elevated until first responders could arrive and take him to the hospital.

He's thankful he was there when his victim needed him the most.

"How awesome is that, that God put someone skilled within running distance," Owens said.

Police said they believe alcohol and high speeds were a factor in the crash.

The crash victim later died from his injuries.