A soldier facing the worst injury of his 15-year Army career was helped by another soldier who he'd never met.

Staff Sgt. Billy Rice, who’s confined to a wheelchair at his East El Paso home, was on his way to work last Wednesday when his motorcycle collided with a car.

The Alabama native was seriously injured. A bone was actually sticking out of his leg. He could have bled to death, according to Staff Sgt. Michael Smarr. Smarr pulled over to assist him.

Smarr is a healthcare specialist who spent the last three years training people how to respond to this kind of situation. Smarr said the people who were trying to help before he arrived were not able to stop Rice’s bleeding.

"What the soldier had done was put a belt on and a screw driver, and tried to crank it down but the bleeding was not stopping at all," Smarr said.

"I heard him barking orders,” Rice said. “He was directing people. He was fully able and capable to explain everything over the cellphone."

Smarr wrapped the tourniquet the way he trains others to do it and the bleeding stopped. Smarr has been a healthcare specialist for 13 years. He spent the last three years training people to respond to situations like the one he faced on Wednesday.

"I think it was nice to be in a situation and know exactly what to do,” Smarr said.

Rice said after two tours in Iraq and two tours in Egypt, this is the worst shape he’s been in as a soldier. He should be healed and back to work in about six months.

If you have a story that you feel deserves media attention, contact Ric Dupont at ric.dupont@kfoxtv.com.