TROY, Ala. — These days, Troy University football players aren’t just winning games – they’re saving lives. This past Sunday, 22 year-old Trojan lineman Bryan Slater became more than just athlete on a football field; he was a first responder.
Slater was driving back to Troy from his home in Mobile, when he noticed a car in front of him start to swerve in the road. Being cautious, he decided to slow down and distance himself from the driver. And just like that, the swerving driver, collided with the vehicle in front of it.
“Right when I backed off a little bit, the car in front of me sped up and hit an SUV that was in front of them,” Slater told WSFA. “They bumped the SUV and it made the SUV turn and it lost control and rolled at least three to four times down the ravine. Once I saw the car flip, then I immediately turned off to the side.”
But Slater was not just worried about his own safety; he was concerned for the passengers in the SUV and immediately called 911. While on the phone, he rushed over to the SUV to check on its three passengers: Carla Schoonover and her two children Natalie and Connor.
“The first thing that came to my mind was that I hoped that they were ok,” Slater told WSFA. “The daughter is a soldier. She was already out of the car. She had brought her brother out of the car. The mom she still needed help out of the car. But the daughter was the bravest one of the whole situation. It was close to a tree so it could have been worse.”
Slater stayed with the family for almost two hours until help could arrive. When the Alabama State Troopers arrived, Slater was more than willing to provide his witness statement to help with the investigation.
He told WSFA that he really felt for the Schoonover’s because he had once been in a similar situation. “I was involved in a crash in high school in my junior year, and there were no witnesses around and I had to be there by myself and I said I wouldn’t let this family go through the same thing,” Slater said.
Now, thanks to their “guardian angel,” the Schoonovers have become Troy Trojans fans. The family was so grateful for Slater’s help that Ryan Schoonover, Carla’s husband, sent an email to the University raving about Slater’s kindness. That email can be read below.
My wife and kids were in an awful accident yesterday afternoon coming home from visiting my Dad in Luverne, AL.
They were hit from behind on Hwy 29 going 55+mph and they lost control of the vehicle just 3-4 miles outside of Troy. They went down an embankment and rolled at least 4 times. However, as a true miracle they have no serious injuries! Car is presumably totaled. It was the most horrifying experience of their lives. Having her life and your children’s flash before her eyes was indescribable. We are all thankful to be alive today! Wife and kids are all ok, just with bumps and bruises and stiffness. The other party that ran into my wife’s car is also thankfully OK.
The very first car behind the 2 cars in the accident was a man who immediately stopped and ran out of the car to check on both parties, called 911 to report the accident, offered help and stayed for over 90 minutes to give his witness report, and talk with my family.
I wasn’t sure how to reach out, but that man is Troy Football player Bryan Slater. My wife and kids couldn’t say enough nice things about that young man. This day and crazy world, just so nice to hear about the really good folks!
I just wanted to share with you how much he touched the lives of my family yesterday. Hopefully the appropriate coaches and this man’s family know what an amazing person he is! You have four new huge Troy Football fans now!
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