Car Crash Kills New Father as Mom Gives Birth in Back Seat

USA Today ^ | April 15 | Associated Press

[laurav]

BRICK, N.J. (AP) — A woman gave birth in the back of a car on the way to a hospital, but the vehicle then left the road and struck a utility pole, killing her husband. The newborn boy was in critical condition Thursday, and the mother, 22-year-old Atara Sasoon, was listed as fair. The car crashed Wednesday about a mile from the hospital in the Jersey Shore town of Brick. Binyhmin Sasoon, 22, was found slumped over the steering wheel and was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife was apparently ejected from the car and was able to stop a passing motorist. The motorist, Patrick Schlagenhaft, found the baby in the car under a coat. The infant wasn't breathing, so Schlagenhaft, taking instructions from a 911 dispatcher, cleared the boy's mouth and nose. "It let out a big cough," said Schlagenhaft, 35. "It was the most amazing sound ever." Investigators were looking into what caused the crash, which happened about an hour before sunrise. Schlagenhaft said the roadway was foggy and dark.

[laurav]

What a story... the man who stopped to help is actually becoming a father this summer (wife is due in July I saw on the news).

[texasflower]

This is one of the saddest things I have ever heard.

My heart and prayers go out to this young mother who starts motherhood as a widow.

Prayers for the baby as well.

[laurav]

I know... at least she had the presence of mind to stumble out of the car and flag down help. On news, the guy who stopped said he saw her, and she said her baby needed help. He looked in car, asked where car seat was, then sudden horror when he realized she had actually just given birth.

[mombonn]

Dear Lord, please restore this baby to full health. Please comfort the entire family as they grieve.

[Arpege92]

This is very sad. Prayers for the baby and the mother.

[anniegetyourgun]

Terribly sad story she will have to tell this child when he is older. I pray for restored health for her and baby...and that she has a very supportive family.

[laurav]

I believe they are Orthodox, so probably at least there is a supportive family and religious community around to help her with the baby.

[Alouette]

What a terrible tragedy. Prayers for the mother and baby, and the father.

It is very likely the infant will be given his father's name.

[jocon307]

A quite sad story, but is this not truly a candidate for the Justdamn list?

[codder too]

Prayers for this woman and child and her husbands soul.

We really MUST begin to educate our society. Childbirth is a NATURAL thing. It can be accomplished at home if need be. A home delivery kit should be provided for every Mom to be used as a 'Just in case item" These "races" to the hospital have cost lives.

[Alouette]

We really MUST begin to educate our society. Childbirth is a NATURAL thing. It can be accomplished at home if need be.

My daughter chose a home birth for her fourth child. She didn't tell me about it until the baby was almost a year old, because she knew that I would freak out.

[BlackVeil]

I fully agree with you, that is a sensible suggestion.