on the highway. that actually happened to one off-duty firefighter in california. cnn's stephanie elam tells us how this man jumped into action and went beyond the call of duty. >> it happened so fast. >> reporter: it's 9:30 a.m. the friday before the 4th of july in orange county, california. john mefford is driving southbound on the 405, one of america's busiest highways at the start of a big get-away weekend. a twin engine cessna trying to return to the airport. >> may day, may day! i lost my right engine. >> and my second glimpse is, i think this plane is going to hit me. all i see is a white flash, haze. the wing came across the front of my car. i have one big scrape across the front with, like, one dent. >> reporter: but mefford, who happens to be a captain with the avalon fire department, isn't thinking about that. he immediately starts running