A heartless driver was seen speeding away after a Land Rover slid off a snowy cliff in Lake Tahoe.
Terrifying dash camera footage captured a white Infiniti SUV following closely behind a black Land Rover down the snow-covered Historic Highway 50 on Christmas morning.
When the Land Rover then veered off the road, the driver of the Infiniti was suddenly forced to brake while the vehicle slid off the embankment.
But when the black SUV was then left teetering hundreds of feet above the ground with its wheels still turning, the Infiniti continued down the road.
Fortunately, a man - who has been identified as Air Force Staff Sgt. Ruben Tala - was seen getting out of the vehicle recording the entire incident and rushing over to the overturned car, where he spoke to a couple trapped inside with their two small dogs.
Soon, a white truck and another SUV could be seen pulling over further down the road, with their occupants getting out of the vehicles to help save the couple.
Ruben then asked one of the other good Samaritans to bring a rope, which they then tied to the Land Rover to help stabilize it, ABC 7 reports.
At that point, Ruben and at least five others were seen beginning to extract the driver and the passenger.
Shocking dash camera footage caught the moment a Land Rover veered off the Historic Highway 50 in Lake Tahoe on Christmas Day
A white Infiniti SUV that was seen following the vehicle then sped away as the Land Rover was then left teetering hundreds of feet above the ground with its wheels still turning
Air Force Staff Sgt. Ruben Tala was seen getting out of the vehicle recording the entire incident and rushing over to the overturned car, where he spoke to a couple trapped inside with their two small dogs
First responders arrived about 15 to 20 minutes later, and the two people inside the vehicle were safely rescued with no injuries reported - though the woman was left visibly shaken and clutching her two dogs, KCRA reports.
Tala said the couple's gratitude left a lasting impression on him, as he recounted how felt the 'adrenaline kicking in' when he first saw the Land Rover spinning out of control shortly after 8am.
'I thought about my wife and my daughter,' he said of his decision to spring into action. 'What if there's a family in that car? Somebody has to help.'
His efforts earned him the praise of his commander at the Travis Air Force Base.
'SSgt Tala and [his wife] Yvett's quick action and courage are a direct reflection of our Core Value of Service Before Self,' said Lt. Col. Jason Christie, commander of the 60th Force Support Squadron.
'We're so proud to have them as our teammates and witness them ready to help anyone in need.'
Yvett also took to social media to commend her husband.
'My husband, RJ, didn't think twice about helping the family - he kept saying "Someone has to help,"' she recounted.
'Some might call it a heroic act, but my husband is the most humble person I know,' she continued. 'I am so proud of him - he has always been a helper and he has the kindest heart.'
Tala said he was thinking about his own wife and daughter when he sprang into action
His efforts earned him the praise of his commander at the Travis Air Force Base and his wife, Yvett Tala
Highway 50 is known for its dangerous conditions, particularly during storms, when snow and ice can make the roadway treacherous for even experienced drivers.
Earlier this year, three people were also left critically injured when a medical aircraft came plummeting down onto the busy highway, which runs East from the California city until the Nevada state line near Lake Tahoe.
As many as 15 bystanders rushed to the crash site to help drag victims from the ruins, authorities said.
But the pilot, nurse and paramedic were then rushed to a nearby hospital with critical injuries.
