California Dad of 3 Gets Out of Car Minutes Before Boulder Crushes It — His Beloved's Call Saved His Life

A California resident is counting his blessings after he survived a close-call incident that totaled his vehicle and could have cost him his life had it not been for his good fortune. It all began when he stepped out to take a call, but when he returned, he couldn't believe what he saw.

On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, Mauricio Henao, from Malibu, California, underwent an unimaginable and spine-chilling incident that altered his perspective on life. It was an unlikely event that ambushed him when he least expected it, leaving a lasting impression on his mind and heart.

It was a regular day for Henao as he finished his work as a house manager for a rehab facility and went grocery shopping. He drove back home after and parked the car alongside the 20000 block of Pacific Coast Highway.

An Unexpected Call from His Girlfriend

Often, sitting in his car for some time to check calls and text messages was a usual drill for Henao. On that day in January, it was raining heavily, and the Malibu resident said he was somewhat irritated when his girlfriend of seven months, Brannde Shanahan, called him to ask for a favor.

But instead of worrying about his wrecked car, the father-of-three has discovered a newfound appreciation and respect for life.

Shanahan, 34, asked her boyfriend to get her plaid tote bag and drop it to a hospital close by, where she worked as a nurse's aide and secretary. After taking the call, Henao had to step out of the vehicle and fetch his girlfriend's bag inside the house—something that irked him at the time.

Escaping the War Zone Just in Time

Henao was still inside the house trying to retrieve the bag when he heard a loud bang and figured the noise was coming from outside. Immediately, he ran to his car and was baffled to see a four-foot boulder resting on top of it, with more rocks tumbling down a neighboring hill onto the road.

At that moment, the 40-year-old man heaved a sigh of relief and felt utterly grateful for escaping what looked like a battle zone. He couldn't help but wonder about the dire consequences he would have suffered if his girlfriend didn't call him, dubbing it a brilliant stroke of luck. He recounted:

"I skipped death. Taking a call that, it was some kind of a divine intervention. It wasn't my time to go...That phone call saved my life."

Henao's Reaction & the Damage His Vehicle Suffered

A shocked but extremely grateful Henao shared that his beloved's request for her tote bag helped save his life, letting him escape a near-death scenario. "I was just shocked and grateful. Gratefulness to have another day," he added.

In addition to his car, three other vehicles were wrecked, but Henao noted that his vehicle suffered massive damage, with the hood-sized boulder crushing the driver's seat, roof, windows, and windshield.

The California man revealed he had received the car from his dad, John Debeck, almost three weeks before the incident happened. Following the harrowing rockslide, he called 911 and shared a photo of the wreckage with Shanahan, who was in sheer disbelief when she learned the chilling details and couldn't hold back her tears.

Counting His Blessings & Battling Regrets

Once the couple recovered from the initial shock, Shanahan joked to her lover that her fateful call and forgetful nature proved life-saving.

At the same time, Henao couldn't muster up the courage to go near his car's trunk, wondering what would happen if another rock slid down the hillside and caught him halfway.

Although he was unscathed and alive, he had difficulty forcing the scary image out of his mind, realizing how lucky he was to escape his brush with death. "That was supposed to be me inside. I'm not supposed to be here," recollected Henao.

When he woke up the next day, several unsettling thoughts nudged him. Had he been inside the car and died, he would regret failing to forge stronger bonds with his dear ones, including his three kids. Seeing it as a second and renewed chance at life, he promised to spend more quality time with his loved ones.

A Newfound Appreciation for Life

A friend of Henao's has created a crowdfunding page to help cover the cost of the vehicle's damage. But instead of worrying about his wrecked car, the father-of-three has discovered a newfound appreciation and respect for life.

What gave him goosebumps was the nagging feeling of what could have happened if Shanahan didn't call. While Henao would be able to replace his ruined car, he knew the same wasn't true for his life or someone else's—something that he vowed never to take for granted.

Trying His Luck

Although he was glad to survive the terrifying ordeal, Henao couldn't help but feel nervous and scared. As he put it, "I'm pretty shook up. Honestly, I don't think I'll park here again after this. I'm a little traumatized by this whole ordeal."

Nonetheless, to put his good fortune to the test, Henao said, "If I'm this lucky, I should probably play the lotto right now because that's really lucky, I feel."

We are glad Mr. Henao's life was saved, and we hope he continues to celebrate his existence and make worthwhile memories with his family. This heart-touching story teaches us that nature works in mysterious ways, and sometimes, we're oblivious to how our guardian angels look out for us.

Click here to read another story about an Indiana teenager who flipped over five times in a speeding car and claimed Jesus saved him from death.