A snake, a car and a stranger's kindness: A UNC professor's amazing story

Henderson, who lives off Mount Carmel Church Road, was on her way to Walgreens and the grocery store on May 6. She had just turned onto N.C. Highway 54 when she saw the 3- 4-foot-long black snake, which blended in with her car.

"It was stretched lengthwise across the entire front dashboard," she said. "I only realized it was there when it started slithering. It took a second before I realized it was a big, long snake! I managed to pull off the road onto a grassy shoulder and hop out of my car before I completely freaked out."

Henderson said she opened all the doors of her car, hoping the snake would crawl out. She was standing on the side of the highway looking upset when a woman and her young son pulled over to see if they could help.

The stranger, Michele Steeley, told Henderson she was familiar with snakes.

Henderson watched with disbelief as Steeley and her 13-year-old son, Mark, lured the snake out of the car vent. Steeley grabbed it by the head and pulled it out, slung it around her head like a lasso and flung it into the woods.

The three shrieked and celebrated on the side of the road while remembering to social distance. "The three of us were jumping around the side of the road. We probably looked crazy to people passing by," Steeley laughed.

"We both jumped up and down and had a big virtual hug," Henderson said.

Steeley said, although she works outside and lives in a rural area, she too is terrified of snakes. It was kindness that fueled her adrenaline to help Henderson.

"I was really thinking about the woman in the vehicle and what I would want someone to do for me in that situation," Steeley said. "I wouldn't be able to get back in that car. And my son said, 'We can help this lady.' I firmly believe that you should treat others the way you want to be treated."

"I just kept thinking about the kindness of strangers," Henderson said. "She stopped, in the COVID-19 era, and didn't hesitate to offer her help. It was so heartwarming to me. You hear really good stories, that people are kind, and this is one."

Steeley said helping Henderson made her day. She was on the way to the food bank to pick up groceries, and Henderson insisted on giving her some cash.

"Times are hard, and it just touched me," Steeley said.

Steeley gave the money to Mark, who used it to purchase her Mother's Day gift and a birthday present for his brother.

"The encounter was a joy for all of us, even though it was a stressful, crazy thing," Steeley said.

Henderson said she plans to keep in touch with Steleey and will always remember her kindness. And she will always check her car before she gets in it.

"I am still pretty PTSD about it," Henderson said. "Every time I get into the car, I check all around for snakes."