Heroic Highway Patrol Trooper 

Heroic Highway Patrol Trooper

31-year-old Highway Patrol trooper, Mithil Patel from Florida is recovering at St. Mary’s Medical Center and is in good condition, as of Monday night.

Trooper shoved Bottex out of the way

A grandfather from Port St. Lucie, Rony Bottex, said that the trooper shoved him out of the way from a car that was out of control along I-95 near Hobe Sound. He is in crutches with a brace for his knee. 

According to Bottex, if it wasn't for him, he would have been gone.

Patel sacrificed life to save Bottex

It was difficult for Bottex to watch the video of the incident. Patel had responded to a crash on I-95 when a second crash happened. An Audi A3 car spun out of control and head toward Patel and Bottex. Patel pushed Bottex out of the way and was struck by it.

Forever grateful for his life

“What he did for me, he doesn’t do it because he’s a state trooper, he doesn’t for his job," Bottex said. "He was there to protect a person he doesn’t know. I don’t believe just anybody would do the same."

His injury could've been much worse if it weren't for Patel, he said.

“I heard the car, BOOM! The car spins, and then he just pushed me away,” Bottex recalled. "There's only one thing I remember when he pushed me."

It’s not what you do, it’s that’s the way you are

He has a message for the trooper who saved his life.

“I want to be your family because you’re a good person,” he said. “It’s not what you do, it’s that’s the way you are.”

FHP commends Patel’s actions

FHP commends Patel’s actions and hopes this story will be a lesson to drivers out there to pay attention when there’s a lane closure due to a crash.

According to Patel's wife, he is already talking and is able to walk. She is thankful for the people's thoughts and prayers.

“The end result of kindness is that it draws people to you.”

- Anita Roddick