INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – It was a terrifying scene Monday afternoon in the parking lot of Welch Wholesale Florist, whose camera captures the moment a good Samaritan saved Willie Millsap's life.
"As I'm driving, my dashboard (lights) started going in and out and I started to smell smoke,” said Millsap. “I had to turn off of 16th Street and scream for somebody to help me because I'm paralyzed."
In moments, thick black smoke began pouring out of the engine compartment.
"I couldn't pull myself away from the car fast enough," said Millsap.
Adam Ohm was driving behind Millsap on his way to work.
"When I saw him go by, I figured something was overheating. I didn't foresee what was going on," said Ohm.
Then things escalated.
Ohm said a couple in the parking lot said Millsap screamed for help and that he was disabled.
Ohm's 8-year army reserve training kicked in.
"I just kept going straight until I got to his car, jumped out and grabbed him, kind of put my arms under his armpits, his shoulders and just pulled him out," said Ohm.
The engine was on fire.
"As soon as I grabbed him, it was starting to come through the front of the vehicle, and that's when you could see it through the dashboard," Ohm said.
Ohm said about a minute later, the car was engulfed in flames. Fortunately, a co-worker was able to grab Millsap's wheelchair and a few belongings out of the car just in time.
"I thank them,” Millsap said. “If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have been here.”
A 2019 shooting left Millsap paralyzed from the waist down. He has been in therapy since and had just left a nursing and rehabilitation center three days ago.
"It's like ‘what else can happen’ and my car was one of the biggest parts of me being independent, and now that's gone," said Millsap. "I have to try and start over from scratch and how I'm going to do that, I have no clue."
Millsap had also just moved into an apartment, trying to get his life back to normal.
"I have a 1-year-old son, and his mom took him out of my life, and she knew that was the strongest part that held me together," said Millsap, overcome with emotion. “Getting my apartment was like the beginning for me to start the process of me to get her back in court so I can see my son."
Now, he's just trying to survive.
"It's like every time I try to get ahead, something keeps on knocking me back down," he said.
But on Monday, Ohm was there to lift him up.
"I had a chance to pray with him and just prayed for blessings over him," said Ohm. "I'm a Christian, and I do believe everything happens in God's timing and so I think everybody was blessed to be there at the moment when he needed help."
"I just leave it in God's hands and let him guide me to where he wants me to be," said Millsap.