An emergency resident at George Washington University Hospital helped save a man’s life while on his way home after his shift early Thursday morning.
Dr. Abdulaziz Almehlisi was driving over the Key Bridge about 2 a.m. when he saw a GMC SUV flipped over. The 26-year-old driver was lying in the street.
“I looked at him, tried to talk to him,” Almehlisi said. “He was not responding. He was gasping for air. At that point, I leaned over and checked his pulse.”
Seconds later, the patient lost his pulse, and Almehlisi began CPR.
“It was a very stressful moment,” Almehlisi said. “It was a terrifying moment for me because usually I go to these situations mentally prepared with a lot of help around me at that time. I was in the middle of the street. I stepped out of my comfort zone.”
Arlington Fire and Rescue arrived and continued the resuscitation, and the pulse came back.
“This is why I went into medicine,” Almehlisi said. “This is why I'm doing what I'm doing.”
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Investigators said the 26-year-old was driving under the influence and speeding before the crash. He is in critical condition at GWU Hospital.
