A routine Friday morning commute on Interstate 95 in Martin County turned into a life-or-death scramble when a car veered off the highway and sank into a roadside pond. Before first responders could get there, a man from Sebastian jumped in, swam out, and pulled a pregnant driver from the sinking vehicle just in time, authorities said.
Good Samaritan Swam Roughly 30 Feet To Reach The Car
The crash happened just before 8 a.m. last Friday, Feb. 6, near the 112-mile marker and a weigh station outside Stuart. According to Martin County Fire Rescue, the vehicle left the roadway and became fully submerged in a pond near the weigh station. A witness on scene swam roughly 30 feet from shore, reached the car, and got a door open so the trapped driver could escape. Crews arrived minutes later, and dive teams went into the water to assist with recovery operations.
The Rescuer's Account
The bystander was later identified as Logan Hayes of Sebastian. He told WPBF he swam to the back passenger door, helped the panicking driver climb between the seats, and then guided her back to shore.
Emergency Delivery At Lawnwood
First responders transported the woman to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, where doctors performed an emergency C-section and delivered a baby girl later that day. The newborn, Ivory Atara Sulley, weighed about 3 pounds, 14 ounces, and will spend time in the NICU while her mother recovers, WPTV reported.
County Officials Praise Quick Thinking
Martin County officials publicly thanked the Good Samaritan and highlighted what they called "great teamwork" between everyday citizens and emergency crews during a Monday news conference that also addressed a separate canal crash where bystanders rescued a family, according to WFLX. Divers later searched the pond to support recovery operations, and officials confirmed there were no other occupants inside the submerged vehicle, according to WQCS.
WPTV identified the driver as Sheldy Apollon and reported that her family has publicly thanked Hayes for his fast action.
