1997 Ford Escort

I was driving my car when I felt it starting to decelerate, even though I was pressing on the accelerator. I began to turn off the road, which was difficult because the steering wheel had locked up. As soon as I put the car in Park, it died. I started it about 45 minutes later and it drove just fine, but Im afriad of it happening again. The car has not been leaking or anything so it was completely out of the blue.