The hail pounded like machine gun bullets on Laura Hanna’s car as she traveled on IH-10 seeking shelter from one of the sudden and most severe thunderstorms in our area.

It was just after midnight as she was headed home from work. After exiting at Woodstone and turning into the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center parking lot, she realized that protection from the marble-sized ice was nowhere to be found and decided to get back on the road to try and make it home as quickly as possible.

It was on the access road that something went horribly wrong. Her engine died and in an instant a strong current engulfed her vehicle sending it floating toward the drain against the wall of the freeway. Unfamiliar with the area, which is prone to flooding, Laura had no way of knowing of any impending danger since there were no warning signs.

Seconds later, she felt the hood of her car slowly sinking as water began to fill the floor. Her screams for help went unnoticed since her windows were up and the water pressure made it impossible to open the door.

Was this how she was supposed to die?

Trying desperately to dial 911 on her cell phone, Laura thought about her family and how they would learn about her death. When she finally heard the voice of the emergency operator she was told not to open the car door in order to keep from being swept away.

“Why not? I’m going to die anyway!” she yelled into the phone.

The water was now up to her waist and the hood completely submerged. All she could do now was move toward the back seat and endure the inevitable.

She prayed for God’s help.

The answer came with a crash of her rear window and two arms that reached in to pull her out moments before her car was completely underwater. They were the arms of Jonathan Sainz. The glass had been shattered by a man named Ray Jr. who cut his hands in the process.

Minutes before, Jonathan and his girlfriend had witnessed Laura’s car being swept away and quickly ran down from where they had been parked as others joined to help. With water up to his chest he carried Laura’s frozen body to safety.

The Macaroni Grill Restaurant, which faces the access road, kept their doors open to provide shelter and warmth to Laura and others who had helped in the rescue.

On that cold and rainy night in San Antonio, something else had fallen from the sky. They were midnight angels, sent to save a woman who will always believe in miracles.