A South Jersey man on Wednesday met a stranger who saved his life on the side of the road five months ago.
Rufus Graham lost control of his motorcycle while on Route 130 on his way to his girlfriend's house in July. Graham was thrown off the bike in the wreck, his leg severed instantly by a sign along the road.
Fortunately for Graham, a quick-thinking stranger -- Walter Rives -- saw him on the side of the road and stopped to save his life.
Rives acted quickly, using his belt as a tourniquet to stop the heavy bleeding from Graham's leg. Police later credited that makeshift tourniquet with saving Graham's life.
Graham spent weeks in the hospital, undergoing surgeries and under heavy sedation. For five months, the man did not know who the roadside hero who saved his life was. On Wednesday, though, he got to meet Rives face-to-face -- and NBC10 was there for the emotional reunion.
"I remember looking at his face. I didn't get his name or anything," Graham said. "I've been wanting to meet him."
Rives, a former NASA armed guard, just happened to be in New Jersey on that fateful day. He was on his way to his brother's engagement party. Melissa, Graham's girlfriend, arranged Wednesday's meeting because Rives happened to be back in Jersey to visit family for Thanksgiving.
Graham thanked Rives for giving him the gift of his life -- on Friday, Graham was outfitted with a new prosthetic leg.
"I think I'm really blessed to be here," Graham said. "I want to make the best of it. Not everybody gets second chances."
Rufus Graham's family has set up a fund to support his recovery. To donate, click here.
