College Grad Leaps into Moving Car to Save Driver Having Medical Emergency — See the ‘Crazy’ Video

A recent college graduate pulled off a “heroic” rescue when he jumped into a moving car after the driver lost consciousness in Montana.

The incident occurred on Monday, Oct. 6 at about 8:36 a.m in Bozeman, according to Lieutenant Quinn Ellingson of the Bozeman Police Department in a statement to PEOPLE.

Markus Klewin, 24, had stopped into a convenience store — a Town Pump on 19th Avenue — and had re-entered the parking lot when he realized something was off, per local news outlet KBZK 7.

“Basically, I just walked out, and then I see this car kind of going around in circles. At first, I just thought it was somebody doing donuts in the parking lot to be fun or whatever,” the Montana State graduate told the outlet.

“Then it just kept going and going, and I was kind of freaked out. I walked up to see what was going on, and it looked like he had fallen out of the vehicle,” he continued.

The driver was having a seizure, according to Town Pump employees, per KBZK 7, and it was at this point that Markus jumped into action.

“[It was] kind of just natural instincts to jump in that car, slam on the brakes and try not to escalate the situation any further,” he explained to the outlet.

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Markus said that after safely stopping the vehicle he ran back inside the store and called 911, at which point he said that EMS workers arrived on the scene. The driver is now recovering, per KBZK 7. The Bozeman Police Department also confirmed that the driver received medical attention on the scene.

Security footage of the harrowing incident shows the driver getting into his SUV and starting his car; however, he appears to lose consciousness before he has a chance to close the driver’s side door. 

The car can be seen reversing in circles in the near-empty parking lot — the driver’s side door still swinging open. Markus then approaches the vehicle and jumps inside, and it stops moving shortly thereafter.

Markus said he has since seen the footage of what happened, calling it “crazy” to watch.

“I didn’t honestly realize the car was going that fast,” he admitted to KBZK 7, adding, “I don’t know, [I] just kind of blacked out during the whole thing.”

Markus shared that he “banged up” his ankle “a little bit” during the incident, but said he considers himself lucky to have been there.

“I just like to thank God for putting me in that position in the first place, just being there in the right place, right time. I think of myself as a guy who’s just trying to do the right thing. But it feels good, though,” he said.

In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Markus’ father, Kurt Klewin, said he wasn’t surprised by his son’s actions.

“He’s just always been one of those kids who goes out of his way to help people. He was an Eagle Scout,” he said. “He was just kind of brought up like that.”

“He’s a pretty humble kid,” Kurt continued. “He didn’t really want people to even know that it happened. He didn’t even tell me for three days!”

Authorities have since praised Markus for his quick thinking.

“I commend Markus for his actions in this incident; his willingness to immediately jump into action without hesitation ensured that the situation ended without further harm to the driver or other citizens,” Ellingson said in his statement to PEOPLE.

A representative from the Town Pump legal department responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment, calling the incident “heroic.”

“Markus Klewin is an ordinary individual who, when confronted with this dangerous situation, took heroic action to save another person’s life,” the representative said.  “At Town Pump we are in awe of how quickly Markus responded and will make sure we supply him with some energy drinks. We are grateful for the quick response time from Bozeman EMTs.”