1 Dead in Florida Collision as Man Tries to Save Cat on Highway

— Sept. 25, 2013 -- A man trying to save a cat on a Florida highway was critically injured Monday when another motorist slammed into him and then his vehicle and a guardrail, police said.

The motorists, Mary Jane S. Alston, 75, was killed in the collision, police said.

Michael James Schneider, 35, was driving northbound on the Turnpike near Pompano Beach in Broward County when he spotted a cat in the middle of the roadway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

After Schneider pulled over to the side of the highway and got out of his vehicle to rescue the abandoned animal, Alston drove her car into him, leaving Schneider clinging to the roof and windshield of Alston's Honda Accord, police said.

Alston then swerved to the right, struck Schneider's pickup truck and a nearby guardrail, propelling Schneider onto the grass shoulder of the turnpike, police said.

After the crash, which occurred at 5:15 p.m. ET, Alston was transported via helicopter to Broward Health North Hospital and Schneider was taken via ambulance, Sgt. Mark Wysocky of the Florida Highway Patrol told ABC News. Alston was pronounced dead shortly afterward, he said.

The cat was also killed, police said.

Schneider was first reported to be in critical condition, but a hospital official told ABC News on Wednesday that he is now in fair and stable condition.

Alston, grandmother of eight, spent her time traveling to be with her grandchildren, according to the Miami Herald.

ABC News could not immediately reach the family of Alston nor Schneider for comment.