SACRAMENTO, CA (KMAX/KOVR/CNN) - A man trying to help stranded motorists on the highway ended up getting hit by a suspected drunken driver and lost both of his legs in the collision.
Mark Poss was on his way home from work late Saturday night when he saw a car stranded and pulled over to help push them down to a gas station.
"He's always willing to lend a hand. This event is not out of his character. This is something Mark would normally do," said Jennifer Martinez, Poss' coworker and friend.
She said everyone, including Poss and his wife, are still trying to process what happened next.
"He was struck by the car and he went flying," Martinez said.
A suspected drunken driver slammed into the back of the car Poss was helping to push.
He was conscious, bleeding profusely, when California Highway Patrol officer Wade Ames arrived.
"His left leg was missing." Ames said. "I pulled out a tourniquet and applied the tourniquet to his left leg to help stop and control the bleeding."
Poss lost both his legs below the knee. "The scene was pretty chaotic," Ames said.
If it weren't for the officer, Poss wouldn't have survived.
"I'm just glad I was there to make sure he's still alive," Ames said. "It's one of those things that are going to stick with you."
The officer said he visited Poss in the hospital, and he's in good spirits. They also exchanged numbers.
A Gofundme account for Poss, his wife and his 1-year-old son has already raised more than $119,000 in just three days.
Martinez said via the Gofundme account that doctors are trying to save Poss' left knee, and he faces more surgeries. Poss, however, "has a very positive spirit and outlook."
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