Beverly Hills man concerned about voting upon regaining pulse
Posted:
Updated:
By Taryn Asher Fox 2 News Reporter
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -- Married 25 years, voting in the election is a tradition for Billy and Rosieta Brandy of Beverly Hills, but this year they were in for their own close call.
On Monday, they were casting their ballots early at the Southfield Township hall when all of a sudden Billy collapsed.
"His hands (were) cold and they were turning green, and I tried to arouse him, calling him, 'Billy, Billy,' and he wouldn't move," said his wife.
Her beloved Billy wasn't breathing and his heart stopped. Rosieta was frantic. She says her husband was dead.
"I just said, 'God, please, not now. Like I'm not ready now,' and it seemed like as soon as I said that, this man that was next to him took him and put him on the floor and started doing the CPR. It was like angel... heard me."
A man who happens to be a registered nurse was standing right beside them. Ty Houston immediately started CPR.
"After about three to four minutes, he started breathing. He regained a pulse and he basically woke up and asked whether or not he had finished voting."
By that time, emergency crews arrived and Houston remembered the unexpected conversation the couple had as Billy questioned whether he was able to vote for his candidate -- President Barack Obama.
"He let her know that basically it was a concern to him. Number one that she knew that he loved her... and two, that he finished what he came there to do, which was to vote."
The answer was yes. Rosieta turned in their ballots right before Billy lost consciousness.
Billy was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak where he underwent several tests, but they didn't reveal what caused his heart to stop. Meanwhile, the couple wanted to thank the man who helped it to start beating again.
Houston says something drew him to that township hall. He never intended to vote early that day.
"He said I was a hero, but really I'm not. That was all God's intervention."
You could call Billy a die-hard voter. He survived throat cancer and now this. He says nothing will stop him from exercising his civic duty.
"I'm a voter every year as long as I live," he told us.
Billy, who was just released Wednesday from the hospital, says he was too nervous to watch the election returns. He didn't find out until his daughter told him, and when he found out President Barack Obama was re-elected, he was overjoyed.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:03:59 GMT
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:58 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:58:47 GMT
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
