TOMBALL, Texas — A Tomball man is trying to help a woman who rescued him from danger.
During the May derecho, a tree fell on top of Bryan Pederson’s SUV. A single, working mom with her kids in the car stopped and pulled him from that vehicle to safety.
“When you see the pictures it’s unbelievable,” Peterson said.
May 16 is a day he won’t forget.
“It gives you a whole new perspective,” he said.
Pederson says after dropping his son off at hockey practice, he was heading home into the storm when his wife called.
“She said, 'Are you coming home? Your daughter is worried about you. She grabbed my hand and wants to pray, She said something bad is going to happen to Dad,'” Pederson recalled.
Minutes from home, Pederson was waiting for the light to change on Huffsmith Road and FM 2978.
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Veronica Marin was a few cars behind when a large tree came down on top of Bryan’s SUV.
“I see the tree fall on the truck. What impacts me is all the cars turned around, and in front of me, I don't know, without thinking, my mother instincts,” Marin said in Spanish.
She had her three kids in the car but didn’t hesitate. She went to help Bryan, thinking he might have his own kids trapped with him inside the SUV.
“She reached in, undid my seatbelt, which I didn’t even think about, and grabbed me like she had done this a million times,” Pederson said.
Just as fast as she appeared, Veronica was gone, rushing to get her kids home. Thanks in part to Facebook, Pederson tracked her down.
“I was emotional, and kept playing through my head, how do you thank someone who literally saved your life?” Peterson said.
Pederson asked how he could help Marin after her kind gesture. Marin, a single mom working two jobs, lives in a home that needs work.
She’s now getting a helping hand in her time of need, thanks to a GoFundMe that Pederson posted.
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“God is good all the time," Marin said. "I do this for Mr. Bryan without expecting anything in return. I am very grateful to God because he put me in that moment with him."
Pederson came out unharmed, and Marin also received recognition from her job for her courageous actions. Pederson won’t forget those actions anytime soon.
“It makes you want to be a better human being yourself, and that’s my goal right now," he said. "If we can at least help her out, it’s something my kids can learn from. They’re grateful I’m still here too."
Pederson said the money will go towards materials to make repairs on Marin's home. Neighbors have offered to do the labor. You can read more in the GoFundMe.