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Man administers LDS priesthood blessing along I-15 to car crash victim

Posted at 11:31 PM, Feb 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-17 01:31:19-05

OGDEN, Utah -- A priesthood blessing was given to a woman on the side of Interstate 15 moments after she was ejected from her car in Ogden Monday afternoon.

Soon after, the ambulance arrived to take 29-year-old Jessica Bingham to an area hospital, where she remains in critical but stable condition.

“I think any prayer in any religion -- anything being sent out to the universe, whatever you believe in works,” said Denice Okey, Bingham’s mother.

Some are saying that kept a woman alive until the ambulance arrived. Now the story is going viral.

Bingham was driving northbound on I-15 when police say she lost control. Witnesses say her red SUV rolled at least six times before crashing into the median. Okey said her daughter was thrown 50 feet in the air and went across the cement barrier.

Danny Paniagua pulled up to the scene seconds after the crash.

“I felt prompted to get out of my car and park and run over and see what happened,” Paniagua explained Tuesday.

On the other side of the median, Paniagua saw Bingham’s body covered in blood.

“She wasn't moving, but her eyes were moving, people were crouched around her, and I saw a tiny bits of movement,” Paniagua said.

Several people stopped to help and call 911. After doing all they could, one man asked Bingham if she wanted a priesthood blessing. Paniagua had the oil and gave the prayer.

“We performed the blessing; it was a pretty incredible moment,” Paniagua said.

Although Bingham and her mother are not active members of the LDS Church they believe the blessing and those at Bingham’s side helped keep her alive until the ambulance got there.

“Even the doctors don't know why she doesn't have a broken neck or spine,” Okey said.

Paniagua shared the story on his Facebook page. In the past 24 hours it has received thousands of shares, comments and likes.

“It was an incredible thing to be part of, I feel really humbled and blessed to be part of the Jessica Bingham love movement,” Paniagua said.

Paniagua set up a GoFundMe account for Jessica Bingham.