I saw the same “barely” articles you mentioned that reference the CST as a source. They didn’t actually describe the event the way your discussion partner did. She supposedly stepped in front of his car, and his grabbing her arm seems more out of frustration. He didn’t save her from an accident. He was the driver of the car that would have hit her. He avoided an accident, got out of his car, grabbed the girl and “lectured” her. Seems like a slightly harsher consequence than necessary, but it does sound like an assault of some degree.

That said, I help people – and even in public!!!