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COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- It's hard to imagine that 10-year-old Kali Collins has ever been more scared than while driving with her mom Erin Bolefahr through Commerce City, Colorado Saturday.
Bolefahr, who has Type 2 diabetes, was having an episode.
"I remember that we were going to Target and my mom goes to McDonalds to buy us ice cream and some food," Collins said. "The car gets out of control and she gets out of control and she starts driving on the wrong side of the road and going backwards."
Collins said the car had a flat tire.
She called her dad, who told her to call 911, as he was trying to call them as well from work.
You know the phrase, my heart dropped into my stomach. I guess that's what happened. My whole life is in that car.
–Kevin Collins
"To get a call and your daughter is going, 'Mommy,' whoever is behind the wheel is not listening or stopping," Kevin Collins said.
Collins, frantic, called 911, but since he didn't know where his family was, he couldn't really help.
"You know the phrase, my heart dropped into my stomach," he said. "I guess that's what happened. My whole life is in that car."
Kali called 911 hysterical.
In the car, you can hear the dispatcher trying to calm her down and asking what businesses the 10-year-old sees around her.
"I told them that we're right by Bridgestone on the other side," Collins said.
Commerce City veteran police officer Brian Trujillo responded.
Detective Christian Rasmussen, spokesman for the Commerce City Police Department said Trujillo tried to order Bolefahr to stop the car, but she wasn't following orders.
Rasmussen also said Collins jumped out of the slowly moving car at one point and yelled to Trujillo her mother was "sick."
She got back in the car after that.
According to Rasmussen, since the driver wasn't responding, Trujillo had to open the driver door, reach over and stop the car.
In this situation the real hero is the 10-year-old Kali. She called 911. She did the right thing, was able to tell them where they were at. Officer did an awesome job as well. He came on scene, he acted fast, he's trained to do that stuff. Get on scene, act fast and make the situation safe. He did just that, did an awesome job.
–Detective Christian Rasmussen
"In this situation the real hero is the 10-year-old Kali," Rasmussen said. "She called 911. She did the right thing, was able to tell them where they were at. Officer did an awesome job as well. He came on scene, he acted fast, he's trained to do that stuff. Get on scene, act fast and make the situation safe. He did just that, did an awesome job."
Collins said his wife deals with her Type 2 diabetes just like most diabetics do, it's not easy.
But she's never had an episode in the car.
"It's kind of weird to have your worst nightmare come true," he said. "It was pretty nerve-wracking for me to know my daughter is on the phone crying. You think about the story about the lady who took out a family, and everything about a thousand miles, it's really hard to focus."
Collins said he was glad his kids were safe.
His wife was resting at home Sunday after receiving medical attention Saturday.
His 10-year-old received a "Positive Ticket" from police.
The program has been around for about a year. Police give tickets out to kids for positive behavior.
The ticket can be redeemed at the Commerce City Recreation Center for various rewards.
