Beltway heroes prevent a crash
When the driver of a car on the beltway experienced a medical emergency and lost consciousness, Good Samaritans stopped the car, averting what could have been a major crash.
Michel Cochran, 82 was driving between the Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road exits in Annandale around 10 a.m. on Feb. 16 when she had a major heart attack and died.
Her friend Cathie Connolly, of Annandale, was talking to her on the phone at the time. “I knew something horrible had happened,” she said. She rushed to the hospital, where Virginia State Trooper Justin Chappell told Connolly what happened.
According to Chappell, the driver of another car stayed close to Cochran’s car and maneuvered it to the jersey wall, preventing it from crashing into other cars. Two other drivers stopped well ahead of Cochran’s car, got out, managed to stop it, broke the window, called 911, and gave Cochran CPR.
Cathie said the trooper told her “he had never seen anything like this in all his years on the force.” None of those who stepped up knew Cochran, she said. “They are true heroes.”
A spokesperson for the Virginia State Police confirmed that story but wouldn’t disclose the names of the Good Samaritans.
Cathie said Michel had been her babysitter when she was a child, and they reconnected about seven years ago.
Michel lived for most of her life in a house on Annanwood Court in Annandale that originally belonged to her grandparents, said her niece, Jackie Terry.
Michel was kindhearted and “an extraordinarily good person,” Jackie said. “She was passionate about music and gardening, was always well put together, and was very social.” She loved animals and used to feed the squirrels and deer and made peanut butter sandwiches for the racoons.
She worked as an executive assistant to the presidents of the postal workers union and the AFL-CIO, Jackie said. She was predeceased by her ex-husband and son. A grandson lives in Denver.
Jackie said she is thankful that “Good Samaritans guided her car to safety and no one else was hurt.”
Terrible for the loss of life.
The Lord must of been with ‘ALL’; with his Guidance.
For sure “Good Samaritans”.
Michel was a great friend to people and animals and will be greatly missed. Thank you so much to the good samaritans who came to the aid of Michel and helped avert more disaster. What selfless actions on behalf of strangers. Bravo!
Michel really was a kind a wonderful woman. I was so saddened to hear of her passing. She’s with her son again.
Michel truly was a wonderful woman. The good Samaritans that helped her are to be thanked and admired.
I cried when I read this article. Michel was a caring and compassionate lady and to have these wonderful people who did not even know her, but cared enough for her well being as well as others out there to take matters into their own hands. I want to thank you for being so kind. It puts my heart at ease to know someone was there for her in her last moments on earth. What would we do without people like you?