Hero deputy saves pregnant woman's car from racing to freezing lake

Dec 4, 2024 at 3:03 AM
An Illinois deputy demonstrated extraordinary courage when he came to the aid of a pregnant woman whose vehicle was hurtling towards a freezing lake due to failed brakes. This heart-stopping event was captured on camera, providing a vivid account of the deputy's quick thinking and selfless actions.

"Deputy's Lifesaving Act: Pregnant Woman's Miraculous Escape"

Incident Details

The incident took place around 2 a.m. on Monday in a rural area near Carterville. Emergency services received a distraught call from a pregnant woman who had lost control of her car. She pleaded with the dispatcher, saying, "My brakes won't stop. My car won't stop. I'm 20 weeks pregnant. I cannot die today."

Deputy Tyler Coffey, upon hearing the call, quickly responded. Dashcam footage showed him pulling his patrol car in front of the woman's Chevy Malibu, which was traveling at around 30 miles per hour on the dark road. He then pressed his brakes, gradually bringing the woman's car to a halt as her front bumper gently collided with the rear of his patrol car, just a short distance from Crab Orchard Lake.

Impact and Importance

Sheriff Jeff Diederich emphasized the significance of the deputy's actions, stating, "Had the Deputy not been on scene or delayed performing this maneuver, the driver and vehicle would likely have gone into the water upon reaching the lake." Thankfully, everyone involved - the woman, her dog, and the deputies - emerged unharmed, although both cars sustained some minor damage.

Deputy Coffey, who is now being hailed as a hero, attributed the successful rescue to the teamwork of all those involved. He told the outlet, "I appreciate the comments, but we're all heroes - everybody from the dispatchers down to the deputies. Everybody worked together and made this a safe incident."