Ryan Hollingshead lay on the pavement, unable to move his arms or legs.



As the initial shock wore off, there were a number of uncertainties to consider: His wife had been sitting in the car down the highway — was she OK? Would his body be in one piece after all this? Would he ever play soccer again?



Moments earlier, Hollingshead had sprinted down the road to aid a stranded motorist. And now, after a long tumble through the dark night, there he lay. Helpless, he sought solace in the same place he always has.



Hollingshead said a silent prayer and waited for the ambulance to arrive.



Earlier on the night of Jan. 6, 2017, Hollingshead had received a call from a buddy, asking for help. Dallas was experiencing a rare ice storm, and his friend had gotten in a fender-bender on the highway. Now his car wouldn’t start. Could Hollingshead come pick him up?



There were plenty of reasons to say no. Hollingshead and his wife, Taylor,...