BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – A wrong-way driver crashed head-on into Emmalee “Emma” Bond on Dec. 21, 2024. Moments later, an innocent bystander — Christen Cantu — jumped into action.
“I see a car with the hazards on going southbound on the northbound side and I just (sic) in disbelief,” Cantu said. “So, I called dispatch and let them know what was going on.”
According to a Bexar County Sheriff’s Office incident report, there were several calls placed on that night about a wrong-way driver on Interstate 37.
Cantu said he was one of those callers.
“As soon as I hung up, it just happened,” Cantu said. “Just a big explosion happened head-on into Emmalee (Bond).”
Cantu said two vehicles were in flames. Video from the scene shows the flames can be seen roughly a mile away.
“I got my fire extinguisher, ran across the highway to go and see if I can attempt to put out the flames,” Cantu said. “That fire extinguisher didn’t do much, so I just kind of tried to get her out and we got her out just in time, thankfully.”
Cantu said a man and woman also stopped to help. The man helped Cantu pull Bond out of the burning vehicle.
Cantu said he doesn’t know who the two other people were, but he is grateful they stopped to assist him.
“Everyone has been so awesome and, especially, him,” Emma Bond said. “He didn’t have to stop, but he did and that’s what makes him a great person.”
Cantu and Bond are two people who knew nothing about each other and now share one common belief.
“God put me here for a reason,” Bond said.
“It’s all the glory to God,” Cantu said. “He put me in that position.”
Cantu and Bond have met since she was hospitalized.
While they don’t have a picture together, Cantu and Bond likely won’t forget each other anytime soon.
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