SAN ANTONIO — January 22, 2011 is a day Michael Thornton vividly remembers.
"The smell of gasoline all over the highway," he said.
The San Antonio Police Officer nearly lost his life after being hit by a drunk driver. Thirteen years later, the now detective is continuing to share his story ahead of what is called 'Blackout Wednesday'. The day before Thanksgiving is known for being the biggest day for drinking.
Back in 2011, on that day, Thornton pulled over at I-35 near Nogalitos to help someone change a flat tire.
"I just hear screeching brakes," he said. "It means something bad is about to happen. I look up and a Dodge Ram is coming right at the back of my police car."
In a split second, Thornton decided to jump over the edge and hang off the highway to save his life. Right after, the Army vet noticed the unimaginable.
"I go that boot looks familiar," he said. "Yup, that's my leg. I realize we have a problem."
He lost his right leg, and now has a prosthetic that's Bluetooth. Thornton said what's important is that he is still proudly wearing the badge, and is now a homicide detective. He reflected on the driver who hit him.
"It was his third arrest for DWI," he said. "Totally preventable that's the thing about DWI's."
Azeza Salama is the executive director of the Free Rides Program of San Antonio. Through this grassroots efforts, they're hoping to make a difference. They're made up of a coalition of bars that are paying for people's free rides home.
"We don't want to have these problems anymore," she said. "We prefer to be proactive, not reactive."
In February 2016, her fiancé Johnny Hernandez was killed by a drunk driver. She is a survivor.
"Unfortunately, I lost Johnny in 2016, which has left me to raise our daughter by myself," she said.
As for the grassroots program, she said right now there are 20 bars that are participating partners.
"It is simple as telling the bartender I have had too much to drink, I really need a free ride home," she said.
Salama said the goal, of this movement, is to have 3,000 bars in San Antonio take part in the program.
"We don't want to stay mad about things," she said. "We want to ensure that we are moving forward and that we have a plan."
Ahead of the holiday, Salama and Thornton with a reminder to plan ahead.
"We just want to make sure that people are getting home safely and spending time with their loved ones," she said.
"In this day in age, we should have zero DWI's," Thornton said.
Starting now, and the next few days expect to see more Texas DPS troopers on the road. Sergeant Deon Cockrell said DPS does beef up patrols around this time of year.
"You will see more troopers out," he said. "There will be enhanced presence, to make sure that traffic and people are being safe in the city."
During last year's holiday crackdown, DPS reports there were more than 40,000 citations and warnings given across Texas.
During the five-day period, troopers said they made 36 DWI arrests.