Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in November 2017.
A Sudden Turn on California Route 126
Actor Harrison Ford sprang into action after witnessing a car veer off California State Route 126 and crash into an embankment. The 75-year-old star was driving nearby when he saw the gray vehicle lose control, TMZ reported. Without hesitation, Ford and several other motorists pulled over to help the woman behind the wheel.
On the Scene of the Crash
Photos soon surfaced showing Ford speaking with first responders at the site. According to authorities, the sedan had rolled over and struck a tree, leaving the driver with minor injuries. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Santa Paula Police Department Senior Officer Matt Alonzo confirmed that Ford was traveling with a friend when they heard the crash. They immediately stopped, approached the wreck, and helped remove the woman from the vehicle before emergency crews arrived.
“He acted as a good Samaritan, just like everybody else,” Alonzo told USA Today.
Ongoing Investigation
The woman was the only person inside the car, and the California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. Reports indicate Ford was driving behind the woman when she lost control of her vehicle.
A Pilot With a History of Close Calls
At the time, Ford was reportedly leaving a small airport near Santa Paula, a spot often used by hobby pilots. The Indiana Jones actor is a well-known aviation enthusiast who has experienced two plane-related accidents since 2015.
In one case, Ford accidentally flew over an American Airlines Boeing 737 carrying 116 passengers before landing his single-engine Aviat Husky on the taxiway at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana. He later told FAA officials that he was distracted by nearby jets.
Earlier, in March 2015, Ford crash-landed his vintage 1942 Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR at the Penmar Golf Course in Venice, California. He sustained injuries but fully recovered.
A Habit of Helping
This isn’t the first time the Star Wars legend has stepped in after an accident. Ford once helped direct traffic in New York City following a collision that caused major jams near the Midtown Tunnel. Though he wasn’t involved in that crash, his instinct to assist showed once again.