As the vehicle continued moving, it became clear to Valia that the driver, an off-duty police officer, was experiencing a medical emergency. Determined to help, Valia chased after the car and threw himself in front of it, hoping to stop it and prevent any harm from coming to the woman and her children.
His bravery didn’t go unnoticed. An off-duty fire rescue officer who was inside the restaurant at the time also rushed to help, and together with another employee, they administered CPR and provided aid until help arrived.
Valia’s actions were praised by the McDonald’s owner, Alex Menendez, who described him as an “excellent employee” and commended his quick thinking and action in a critical moment. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital and reportedly survived thanks to the quick actions of Valia and the other bystanders.
In a statement following the incident, Valia humbly expressed that he was just doing what he felt was right. “If I had to die to save that woman, I would have,” he said. His bravery serves as a reminder that heroes walk among us, ready to spring into action when duty calls. Hats off to Pedro Valia, a true hero in every sense of the word. #PedroValia #McDonaldsHero #DriveThruRescue