"Don't you die. Don't you die on me!"

An Ohio state trooper has received an award for saving the life of a truck driver whose semi had smashed through a guard rail down a roadside embankment -- and the scene was captured in compelling dash cam video.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol tells the story on its Facebook page, complete with the video.

It shows the broken guard rail, the semi, and Trooper Eric Devers arriving at the scene, scampering down the embankment, out of view.

According to the Highway Patrol, "Devers found the driver belted in the driver's seat, taking low, gasping breaths with eyelids half closed. After a short amount of time, the driver's eyes rolled back into his head; he slumped over and quit breathing. A passerby who stopped to assist Trooper Devers kept the driver upright as Trooper Devers performed CPR chest compressions until EMS arrived."

Devers can be heard frantically imploring the driver, later identified as John Depue, 53, of Charlotte, Michigan, to breathe.

"Come on, keep breathing," Devers repeats. Then, "Don't you die. Don't you die on me! Come on. Come on!"

Devers is heard counting chest compressions in a steady, "One, two, three, four, five ..." He counts to 20 and repeats, stopping only to scream. "Come on. Open your eyes! Come on."

He tells the passerby, "Hold his head ... nice and easy. Hold it there."

Trooper Devers was on the scene for 12 minutes before medical personnel arrived, according to the Highway Patrol. At that point, Depue started breathing on his own and stabilized. He was taken to a local hospital, where he made a full recovery.

"In speaking with the family, medical personnel and witnesses at the scene, it is apparent the quick actions of Trooper Devers helped save the driver's life," the Highway Patrol says.

One the Facebook page, one trucker comments, "When the time comes that I'll be in a wreck, all that i ask god for is that the first man on the scene is as compassionate and dedicated as this officer."